Tribal Art

African mask of "reduced size, intended for entertainment ceremonies and which can therefore, according to the Baule tradition, be seen by women. The streaks of the hairstyle represent braids, the traditional scarifications called "ngole" underline traits. Chipped matte patina.
Height on base: 36 cm.
These portrait masks of the Baoulé, Kpwan, which are part of one of the oldest Baoulé artistic traditions and frequently represent an idealized character, have the particularity of appearing at the end of entertainment dance ceremonies. These are named, according to the regions, bedwo, ngblo, mblo, adjussu, etc.... Each of these masks are distinguished by the hairstyles, the location and the choice of scarifications, etc... Also called Gbagba, they personify graceful young girls or men whose valor or qualities of integrity are renowned. The new generations are gradually replacing these Mblo dances called Gbagba in some villages, retaining most of the old conventions, with the Kpan Kpan dance, whose masks raise societal problems or refer to political projects.