Mask "kanaga" ·  Mali, Dogon · ID: 3036786

Description

light wood, matt patina, polychrome paint, superstructure in form of a double cross, plant fibre bonnet at the back, rep. (broken superstructure affixed by stripes of animal hide, cross-pieces affixed by bolts), small missing parts, cracks, traces of insect caused damage, water spots;
the “kanaga” mask can be interpreted in different ways: crocodile, creator genius, but also “bird in flight”. According to the latter interpretation it represents the bird “kommolo tebu” with spread wings and black and white plumage, when after its shooting the hunter carved the first “kanaga”.

Comparing literature

Homberger, Lorenz (Hg.), Die Kunst der Dogon, Zürich 1995, p. 124