Fire spitter mask "wanjugo"

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Description

wood, dark brown patina, composed of different animals (crocodile jaw, wart hog fangs, mighty buffalo horns), crowned by a small vessel, a chameleon and a bird head, rep. (breakage at the nose), fine cracks, slight traces of abrasion;
the mask type “wanjugo” belongs to the “wabele” society. The masks are greatly feared and have a powerful magic potential. Usually they have a small circular receptacle on the top of the cranium, filled with magic substances. Sometimes they are called “firespitter” masks. In former times their open mouth used to be filled with blaze, which the dancers blew to showers of sparks.

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Comparing literature

Hahner-Herzog, Iris, Das Zweite Gesicht, Genf, München, New York 1997, ill. 13

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