Mask "zakpai" · Côte d'Ivoire, Dan · ID: 3038093
Emil Storrer, Zurich, Switzerland
Description
wood, slightly shiny black patina, kaolin, beautifully formed face with characteristic concave profile and pierced round eyes, facial contours, eyebrows and tattoos painted in white pigment, drilled holes around the rim, in the cheek area in two rows, slightly dam., minor missing parts (nose, rim backside), scratches, abrasion of paint (lips);
such masks are called runner masks, “running juju”. They are widespread among the northern Dan (because of the dry area they are mostly needed there). Worn by the fastest runner of the village, they are supposed to warn the inhabitants and 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.
Comparing literature
Fischer, Eberhard & Hans Himmelheber, Die Kunst der Dan, Zürich 1976, p. 73 ff.