Ape mask "n'gon" of the "korè" society ·  Mali, Bamana · ID: 3040584

Description

light wood, min. remains of brown patina, incised scarification marks, strong abrasion of paint, minor missing parts (nose, rim backside), cracks (snout, forehead), smalll traces of insect caused damage, base;
initiates of the “korè” society are divided into various grades, which all have their own masks and totems. Aside of the important hyena mask “suruku” these include lion masks “jara” and monkey masks “n’gon”, like the present one. They illustrate the dicscourse of man with his own zoomorphic qualities.