Face mask "zakpai" ·  Côte d'Ivoire, Dan · ID: 3034352

Description

wood, blackish brown patina, small see holes, the raised rim spread with blackish mass, crowned by a pair of horns with the tips bent downwards, thus framing the face, metal tags, dam., missing parts (mouth, nose, back of the rim), traces of insect caused damage, rep. (left horn tip);
such masks were mostly painted in red or covered with red fabric, big leaves were worn on top of the head and to complete the costume a short plant fibre skirt. They only appear during dry season and their sole function is to keep control of the cooking fires in the village.