Mask "wan-zega" ("red mask") ·  Burkina Faso, Region Boulsa, eastern Mossi · ID: 3050040

Description

wood, pigments, base

Mossi in the far eastern area near Boulsa and Zeguedeguin use sets of three masks: a male, the “wan-zega” or red mask; a female, the “wan-sablaga” or black mask and the protective dwarf spirit mask, “yali”.

“Wan-zega” behaves aggressively, chasing spectators and using whips liberally to keep crowds back from the performance area. “Wan-zega” appears at funeral ceremonies.

Comparing literature

Roy, Christopher D., Land of the flying masks, München 2007, p. 405, ill. 114 und p. 57, fig. 19