Tribal Art

Masque Dan Tankaglé (N° 14761)

This Dan mask is a variation of the Deangle. The sunken gaze is enhanced here by a carved wolf encased in kaolin. The ajar lips protrude strongly. A grainy aggregate remains at the top on either side of a metal element. Smooth, sained skate. Dan masks, of varying size, usually occur during highly theatrical entertainment parties where women play a leading role. The so-called Mask, called Deanglé, defines an ideal of beauty and benevolence because it is carved in honour of the village's young girls or renowned men. Also used during circumcision rites, they appear in the company of the gle s and the large go ge masks relating to the go society, which exercises justice and maintains peace. In general, dan masks also have the peculiarity of being not representations of bush spirits but of being in fact the embodiment of them. The Dan live in western Côte d'Ivoire, but also in Liberia. Also called Yacouba, they have a powerful initiation society, that of the Leopard. The Dan Kran who live in the southern part of the country Dan produce more triangular masks with side fins. The Dan Maou who are established in the western part have large masks with a beak.