Mask "zakpai" · Côte d'Ivoire, Dan · ID: 3032866
Sepp Arnemann, Hamburg, Germany
Description
wood, encrusted brown patina, entirely coated with red fabric, mustache made from animal hair, inserted animal teeth, plant fibre beard, package of magical mass and nail on the head, pierced around the rim , rep. (left horn), fissures, slight traces of abrasion, on base;
the present mask type was mostly painted in red or coated with red fabric. The mask was completed by a head ornament with big leaves “bülä” and a chunky costume with a short plant fibre skirt. The “zakpäi” dancers only appeared in dry season and their sole function was to keep control of the cooking fires within the village, which is why they are even called “fire alarm” masks, or “running juju”.
Comparing literature
Guenneguez, André et Afo, Art de la Cote-d'Ivoire et de ses voisins, Paris o.J., p. 53