Mask "zakpai" ·  Côte d'Ivoire, Dan · ID: 3036972

Description

wood, blackish brown patina, oval form with regular facial features and big round eyes, striking pointed thin lips, pierced around the rim, min. dam., small missing parts, fine crack (right side), slight traces of abrasion, base;
such masks are called runner masks, “running juju”. They are widespread among the northern Dan (because of the dry area they are mostly needed here). Worn by the fastest runner of the village, they are supposed to warn the inhabitants and to call for help in case a fire breaks out. They used to wear face masks with big circular eyes and a coating of red fabric, completed by a head gear with big leaves “bülä” and a rough costume with short fibre skirt. Their “weapon” was a short branch while their companion used to beat a slit gong. They only appeared in dry season and their sole task was to control the cooking fire places within the village. They are not dancing or singing, they are just rumping with the youngsters of the village.

The object Mask “zakpai” with the object ID 3036972 was last part of the auction 77th tribal art auction at June 28, 2014 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 202.

You can find more Masks and other popular object types on our related topic pages. You may also be interested in our page on African art.

Comparing literature

Homberger, Lorenz, Masken der Wè und Dan, Elfenbeinküste, Zürich 1997, p. 73 Fischer, Eberhard & Hans Himmelheber, The Arts of the Dan in West Africa, Zurich 1984, p. 43, ill. 51