The Bamana culture of Western Africa is probably best-known for antelope masks, but the artists of this culture make other important masks as well. The Bamana Bush Cow Mask should not be confused with the bush cow masks of other nearby cultures; while they depict the same animal, the Bamana Bush Cow Mask is simple, organic, and curvilinear in comparison to the other … [Read more...] about Bush Cow Mask: Researched by Brandellia Hang
Among the common animals that are portrayed in Western African masks is the bush cow, or buffalo, which is believed in cultures such as the Bobo to personify an important deity known as Do, a nature spirit that is believed to be nature’s life force. Bush cow masks are primarily seen in harvest festivals, in entertainment masquerades for tourists, and in ceremonies that … [Read more...] about Bush Cow Mask with Geometric Designs: Researched by Brandellia Hang
The Baule culture originates from Cote D’ Ivoire in the Western African region, where they are best-known for their portrait masks depicting human faces. However, the Baule also create very individualized animal masks that symbolize traits that are important to specific ceremonies; a mask depicting characteristics of the buffalo, for example, may be used to represent a fierce … [Read more...] about Animal Mask: Researched by Brandellia Hang
Bobo culture artists create large horizontal masks known as butterfly masks. This Hornbill Butterfly Mask with Triangular Patterns incorporates all of the typical features of a traditional butterfly mask: The body is made of a long, horizontal wooden plank; the eyes are carved like a bullseye and painted white, black, and red; and the curved beak protrudes and hangs over a … [Read more...] about Hornbill Butterfly Mask with Triangular Patterns: Researched by Brandellia Hang
The Mossi culture of Western Africa neighbors the Bobo culture, and like the Bobo and other nearby cultures, Mossi artists predominantly use red, white, and black pigments and geometric patterns in their masks. Also like the Bobo, the Mossi make masks that represent bush spirits, which are nature spirits that take animal form. Rooster masks are also among the … [Read more...] about Long-Beaked Rooster Helmet Mask: Researched by Brandellia Hang