Face mask "je" ·  Côte d'Ivoire, Yaure · ID: 3035915

Description

wood, dark brown patina, kaolin, chin plug and framing zigzag beard, crowned by curved horns and bird sculpture, delicate modelled facial features, drilled holes around the rim, rep. (breakages on both horn tips), slight traces of abrasion, base;
the most well-known masks of the Yaure depict a human face with animalic endorsement. They belong to the “je” or “lo” masks, which could take influence on the supernatural forces called “ju”, who are either able to cause harm to the people or secure their well-being. Especially a case of death requires the performance of the masks in order to restitute the social balance and in order to guide the deceased person to the afterworld.

Comparing literature

Hahner-Herzog, Iris, Das Zweite Gesicht, Genf, München, New York 1997, ill. 38