Fire-spitter mask "wanjugo" ·  Côte d'Ivoire, Sénoufo · ID: 3042057

Description

wood, black patina, brass disc eyes, coated with thick encrusted clay-like sacrificial patina, remains of magical loading (bristles, fibre), small deepening in the nose bridge, slightly dam. (ears, tooth), rep. (right horn tip, tooth), base;
zoomorphic “wanjugo” masks belong to the “wabele” society. The masks are greatly feared and have a powerful magic potential. Usually they have a small receptacle filled with magical substances, which in present case can be found at the nose bridge. Sometimes they are called “firespitter” masks. In former times their open mouth used to be filled with blaze, which the dancers blew to showers of sparks.