Hare mask "dyommo" ·  Mali, Dogon · ID: 3033338

Description

wood, remains of green, red and indigo blue pigment, remains of painted dots, box-shaped, the facial plane dominated by large rectangular eyes, crowned by long rabbit ears and a second pair of ears in shorter version, slightly dam., paint rubbed off, traces of insect caused damage;
“dyommo” masks are worn by the boys who enter the society of the masks. Many tales recount the hare’s exploits. Tales and masked dances all tell the same story: the hare is a quick-witted little animal capable of withstanding formidable predators.

Comparing literature

Homberger, Lorenz (Hg.), Die Kunst der Dogon, Zürich 1995, ill. 93