Helmet mask "korobla"
Côte d'Ivoire, Senufo
not available anymore
Provenance
Catherine Sargos, Nancy, FranceSize
H: 27 cm
L: 41 cm
H: 10.6 inch
L: 16.1 inch
Description
wood, brass eyes, small deepening at the nose tip, drilled hole on the parting (for insertion of magical feather tuft), coated with thick encrusted clay-like sacrificial patina, remains of sacrificial material (feathers, fur, vegetal material), slightly dam., cracks (backside), base;
apart from burial ceremonies, this type of mask only appears at night, because around this time, witches could wander around the village and seek their victims. You should wait for “korobla” because it is stronger than any witch. It is extraordinarily fast and in the past it was known for its ability to spit “fire”. It makes long drawn out screams, and as soon as it finds a witch, it drives it out with all its’ might.
Publications
Sargos, Catherine & Patrick, Arts et traditions d'Afrique, Paris 2010, p. 269, ill. 6.63AHDRC: 0142261