Kpelie mask

One of the most representative masks of senufo art, represents for them the canon of feminine beauty. This decidedly anthropomorphic mask unquestionably reaches the highest level of aesthetic refinement of the senufo creations. An elongated and straight nose with wide fins on an equally elongated face, facing flimsy, and eyes normally reduced to two thin slits, under large eyelids. The mouth, embossed, circular or rectangular, shows the carved teeth. They usually have hyena ears and antelope legs. On the head they present a cove, mythical bird of the Senufo or antelope horns and in many cases a combination of both. On the forehead the representation of the navel of Katyeleus, the old mother of the world and the supreme divinity of the SenufoThese faces seem to radiate spirituality, meditation and mystery and transmit an abstract notion, that of the immaterial being whose identity is revealed only to the neophyte at the end of the most important, sometimes painful, trials of initiation. Precisely the purpose of the Kpelié mask is to remind the neophyte of the imperfection and precariousness of the human condition, disastrous consequences of mystical adultery.

It is one of the main masks used in pore ceremonies and according to liturgical needs are masks can be male or female.

It is a simple mask of color much lighter than usual, with a calao on the head.