Helmet mask "bo nun amuin" ·  Côte d'Ivoire, Baoulé · ID: 3040375

Description

wood, red, black and white paint, carved with six horns, two of them enclosing the face, slightly dam., missing parts (horn tips), abrasion of paint, rep. (toothed lath);
“bo nun amuin” literally means “gods in (or of) the bush”, or “amuin yasua”, literally “men’s gods”. The Baule hold them in great awe. The masks and costumes are kept in a forest sancturary outside the village. They are danced to protect the village against threats, to discipline women, and at the funerals of former dancers and important men. Their performances are fearsome spectacles, featuring violent behavior and magical feats.