Mask of Justice

When conflicts arise between members of masked societies, this conflict will be settled by another mask, which has under its jurisdiction all the peoples that constitute its canton. This mask goes from village to village and settles existing conflicts. Previously, all masks come to the sacred forest to expose conflicts. Each mask speaks with a distorted voice. Before the trial begins, a cane is placed between the two antagonists and justice is administered. The mask found guilty pays a fine to the society of masks. These trials are not subject to appeal.

There is also a mask of mask bearers, it is an identity mask. It is a small mask that has two main functions:

a.- Prevent entry into the sacred forest for those who have no right of access. Showing this little mask can be accessed.

b.- Carrying this small mask with you while wearing the large mask protects your wearer against the spirit of the great mask. These masks can dance for a whole day, without showing fatigue.

When a conflict arises in the village between several individuals of different clans, a mask disperses the antagonists and sends each party to their neighborhood. It sets a deadline for filing a complaint before the great mask of justice and the day of the deliberations is forming a “trident” between the two pleitants. The sentences handed down by the mask are not subject to appeal at the village level, but the other party may resort to another mask of justice from another people to repeat the trial.

When conflicts arise between members of masked societies, this conflict will be settled by another mask, which has under its jurisdiction all the peoples that constitute its canton. This mask goes from village to village and settles existing conflicts. Previously, all masks come to the sacred forest to expose conflicts. Each mask speaks with a distorted voice. Before the trial begins, a cane is placed between the two antagonists and justice is administered. The mask found guilty pays a fine to the society of masks. These trials are not subject to appeal.

There is also a mask of mask bearers, it is an identity mask. It is a small mask that has two main functions:

a.- Prevent entry into the sacred forest for those who have no right of access. Showing this little mask can be accessed.

b.- Carrying this small mask with you while wearing the large mask protects your wearer against the spirit of the great mask. These masks can dance for a whole day, without showing fatigue.

As usual in the kran masks it has on its sides two bumps as earmuffs from which two large strands of animal hair, possibly of horsetail or bovids depart. The very protuberant forehead is lined with guresa fabric and decorated with cauris, the nose decorated with studs and the chin, equally very protuberant, is scratched above and below an elongated open mouth. The triangular eyes allow the vision of its carrier. The rest of the face is painted with kaolin. Very old patina.