Anthropomorphic mask "andumbulu" · Mali, Dogon · ID: 3032266
Hans Hess, Basel, Switzerland (1969)
Eduard Hess, Basel, Switzerland
Description
wood, encrusted brown patina, the face framed by ridges formed by hairline and beard, enclosing even the sides of the face, typical sharp cut nose and Dogon hat, protruding mouth part with central deepening, slightly dam., cracks, indigenous repair (right cheek), rep. (lobe-like tip of the hat);
“andumbulu” is a mythical being which had been created by “amma”, long before mankind came into being. It is said to be the most important mask type of the whole region. Presumably it was perfomed on final commemorative ceremonies for important Dogon elders “dama”. During his research in the 1930s Marcel Griaule documented more than 70 different mask types, representing animals, birds, human characters, and abstract concepts, which he considered to be a visual summary of the world surrounding the Dogon people.
Comparing literature
Bilot, Alain, Masques du pays Dogon, Paris 2001, p. 184 f. Ezra, Kate, Art of the Dogon, New York 1988, p. 73