Face mask "zakpai" · Côte d'Ivoire, Dan · ID: 3032236
Raimond Hillairet, Paris, France
Hans Hess, Basel, Switzerland (1978)
Eduard Hess, Basel, Switzerland
Description
wood, rich black patina, oval form with regular facial features, grooved scarifications framing the face, big round eyes with small drilled holes (originally framed by silver metal), nail above the forehead, slightly dam., paint rubbed off;
masks like the present one are called runner masks, or “running juju”. The mask is completed by a head ornament with big leaves “bülä” and a rough costume with short fibre skirt. Their “weapon” is a short branch while their companion beats a slit gong. They only appeared in dry season and their sole task was to control the cooking fire places within the village.
Comparing literature
Fischer, Eberhard, Himmelheber, Hans, Die Kunst der Dan, Zürich 1976, ill. 60 - 64
Exhibition
Première Exposition Retrospective Internationale des Arts De L' Afrique Et De L' Océanie, Cannes 1957 (confirmation available)