Face mask with tubular eyes and articulated jaw ·  Côte d'Ivoire, Wè / Wobé / Guéré · ID: 3046109

Description

wood, decorative nails, cartridge cases, real hair, pigment remains, inscribed “179”, base

There are two distinct types of Wè mask: masks that are used for entertainment purposes and masks that play a role in exercising social control.

The first group is divided into singer masks “ninea-gla”, dance masks “be-gla” and joker masks. The group of social masks includes the “te-gla” masks (police or guardian masks), which fulfil the most diverse everyday functions.

Comparing literature

Homberger, Lorenz, Masken der Wè und Dan, Elfenbeinküste, Zürich 1997, p. 14 f.