Male face mask of the "goli" group "kplekple yaswa" ·  Côte d'Ivoire, Baule · ID: 3037484

Description

wood, red and white pigment, black paint, of characteristic form: disc-shaped flattend face crowned by a pair of horns, small triangular see holes underneath the eyes, slightly dam., traces of insect caused damage, cracks, rep. (breakages on both sides of the rim fixed by nails), metal base;
“goli” masks appear in times of crisis (i. e. epidemic diseases, funeral ceremonies). They should provide contact with the supernatural powers “amwin”. The “goli” group is looked upon as a family. “Kplekple” (=the son), the mask lowest in rank, performs to announce the appearance of “goli glin” (=father) or “kpan” (=mother). “Kplekple” is performed by young men, who wear goatskins and dance vividly to the songs of children and adolescents.