Zoomorphic mask "anbai" or "nyangbai" ·  Guinea, Toma · ID: 3053125

Description

wood, metal sheet,encrusted patina, base

The Loma, or Toma, live on both sides of the Liberia / Guinea border. The principal men’s initiation society throughout the area is the “poro” society.

The wooden “angbai” or “nyangbai” mask represents one of several incarnations of the Supreme Being “ngafui” or “afui”. The “angbai” customarily accompanies the young future initiates into the forest, the sacred and exclusive “poro” domain. On completion of the initiation rituals, the “angbai” then escorts the young men back to the village. The mask-wearer’s impressive costume is made of feline or monkey furs.

The object Zoomorphic mask “anbai” or “nyangbai” with the object ID 3053125 was part of the auction Auction 106 on April 25, 2026, lot number 234 at that time and is currently available for EUR 5,000 in Open sale.

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

Carini, Vittorio, Artes Africanae, Quaderno 1, Le maschere dei Toma/ Loma, Udine 2009, p. 25 Carey, Neil, Masks of the Koranko Poro, Amherst 2007, p. 29, fig. 11

Publications

Schädler, Karl-Ferdinand, Encyclopedia of African Art and Culture, Munich 2009, p. 378, Galerie Simonis, Simonis, Afrikanische Kunst, Düsseldorf, p. 4