Masque anthropomorphe "zakpai"
Louis Pieter Cornelis (Lode) van Rijn, Galerie Kephri, Amsterdam, The Netherlands (1968)
Kees van Strien, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Mon Steyaert, Brussels, Belgium
Hans van Witteloostujn, Delft, The Netherlands
Anuschka Menist, Brussels, Belgium
German Private Collection
Description
wood, brown patina, remains of pigment, pierced round eyes, raised forehead ridge, diamond-shaped mouth, min. dam., cracks, traces of insect caused damage, small missing parts, traces of abrasion, base;
this mask type performs during the harvest festival, which is closely related to the fertility of the living human community. The mask wearers offer meat and harvested rice to the ancestors and distribute all sorts of “medicines” intended to encourage female fertility. After the festivities, the masks reign the village and take turns watching over the peoples security. During the dry season their main duty is to protect the village from fire. They also see to it that women extinguish fires after breakfast, if not heavy punishment follows. At night, armed with spears and knives, they keep evil spirits and witches from invading the village.
Littérature comparée
Fischer, Eberhard & Hans Himmelheber, Die Kunst der Dan, Zürich 1976, p. 76 ff.Publications
AHDRC: 0067085