Zoomorphic mask "hombo"

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Description

wood, matt patina, polychrome paint, dominated by a rectangular, teeth-revealing mouth and high forehead crest, flanked by small ears/horns, chin plug, collection label “Y2.A8.88” at the back, min. dam., cracks, traces of abrasion, base;
these masks represent the spirit “hombo”, a protective spirit of the blacksmith.
Most of the masks depict beings from the bush in an animalic or fantastic shape, invisible for humans. The knowledge of the masks and of their geometrical patterns is restricted to the male population. During a two week initiation the boys are introduced to this secret knowledge, which also serves for mediation of social and moral values.

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Comparing literature

Förster, Till, Skulptur in Westafrika, Freiburg im Breisgau 1995, p. 70, ill. 2-32

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