Beak mask "gägon" ·  Côte d'Ivoire, Diomande · ID: 3038134

Description

wood, partly shiny black patina, fabric, eye zone and beak spread with a thick layer of mass, the movable jaw fixed with plant fibre, the whole jaw coated with animal skin, grooved tattoos on both sides of the face, pierced around the rim, min. dam., missing parts, fine cracks, slight traces of abrasion, base;
according to Hans Himmelheber this mask type appeared on sunday mornings for entertainment of the village people, sometimes accompanied by small orchestras, moving and dancing in the midst of the people. In former times the mask type surely had educational purposes with its songs and sayings but nowadays it is used for entertainment only.