Helmet mask "goli glin"
Dieter Eulenburg, Dreieich, Germany
Description
wood, matt patina, polychrome paint, nose and snout arranged in grooves and ridges, old collection label and handwritten collection number “1240” at the back, min. dam., traces of insect caused damage and usage (esp. at the back), cracks;
the masquerade in honour of the buffalo deity “goli” is accompanied by the “kple-kple” mask family. The Baule distinguish four mask types: one couple for the young male (“kple-kple”) and one for the older male mask (“goli glin”), as well as one pair for the young female (“kpan pre”) and one for the older female mask (“kpan”). The “goli” cult was acquired from the Wan, a small Mande-speaking group living northwest of the Baule.