Zoomorphic mask of the "dye" mask ensemble

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Description

wood, pigments, base

“Dye” is an ensemble of animal- and human-faced masks with impressive raffia costumes found among the southern and western Guro.

In a “dye” mask performance animal masks appear first. Acting as a kind of vanguard for the anthropomorphic masks, they are said to “prepare the dancing area”.

In addition to the dog, hippopotamus, goat and buffalo the animal masks represent an astonishing variety of different types of antelopes, which can be distinguished according to the length and shape of their horns.

The animal masks, in general, and the antelopes, in particular, were keenly awaited, especially when the wearer was known to be a skilled dancer; their costumes of swirling fibres made their dance even more spectacular.

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Comparing literature

Fischer, Eberhard & Lorenz Homberger, Die Kunst der Guro, Elfenbeinküste, Zürich 1985, p. 85 ff.

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