Buffalo mask "nam gbalang"

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Description

wood, dark brown patina, red paint, rep. (small breakage), traces of abrasion.
“Nam gbalang” could be translated as something like “unruly thing of the bush”. Each mask has a personal name as well, the male ones (wich are red) being called “chief” something and the female ones (which are black) being called “mother” something. Both colours mean danger since red is associated with blood and black with night and witches. These masks were danced during various ceremonies, e. g. funerals, passage rites, enthronization of a new king.

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Comparing literature

Evers, Christophe, Art of the Upper Benue River, Brussels 2003, p. 26

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