Healer's society cap mask
Côte d'Ivoire, Senufo
not available anymore
Provenance
Pierre Robin, Paris, France (1988)Alex Wittendorff, Copenhagen, Denmark
Size
H: 55 cm
H: 21.7 inch
Description
wood, brown patina, domed cap with notched medial ridge and projecting ears, surmounted by a mighty pair of flattened inward curving horns, drilled holes around lower rim for attachment, dam., insect caused missing parts, rep. (breakage left horn), abrasion of paint;
the mask features the broad curving horns of the West African wild buffalo or bush cow, principle insignia of the elite society of healers “nookaariga”. The headdress is never seen in public, except when donned by members for highly secret initiation and healing rites, and is stored in the “kagba”. All members are reported to possess such a helmet.