Beak mask "gägon" ·  Côte d'Ivoire, Dan · ID: 3037032

Description

wood, blackish brown patina, encrustation with mass on the head, movable jaw attached by cord, the upper jaw coated with bands of animal skin, which are fixed by wooden splinters, small eyes framed with metal sheet (missing on the right), grooved contours, drilled holes around the rim with fabric enclosure, min. dam., minor missing parts (lower jaw, right side of the forehead), small traces of insect caused damage, base;
according to Hans Himmelheber this mask type appeared on sunday mornings for entertainment of the village people, sometimes accompanied by small orchestras, moving and dancing in the midst of the people. In former times the mask type surely had educational purposes with its songs and sayings but nowadays it is used for entertainment only.