Funeral and Gle War Mask

The Wobé masks, in general, have some analogy with the Gueré masks, since in reality it is the same ethnic group, the We. They were names given by the colonizers to distinguish them We of the north and the south. They are characterized by the fierceness and intensity of its appearance, solid, with numerous reliefs. Front protruding with bowing, with facial protections that look like bumpers, sometimes fangs of facocero, and fangs or horns, real or wooden, that give the impression of wanting to hug. The mouth is usually protruding and on it, often a kind of large moustache in the form of a very wide “W” rises. They tend to be lined with upholstery studs, whose use is characteristic in the ornamentation of beté masks. In their origin they were war masks that appeared also in funeral dances. They were also effective in the fight against sorcery. They are currently used in popular celebrations or in entertainment to welcome important personalities.

Originally war mask but converted, with the absence of conflict, into funeral mask. This mask appears at night, during funerals or mourning. The mask bearer carries in his right hand a sword or a spear to remember that war was the original function of this mask. Dark patina of time.