Masque avec yeux tubulaires et défenses

Description

wood, black and red pigment, human hair, animal fur, metal, plant fibre,

The appearance of male masks of the Wè region varies greatly and does not give any information about their exact function.

Attributes held by the dancer and the colour of the mask can give clues. Black means “dangerous”, “mischievous” and is the colour of the “tegla” - “policeman’s or guardian’s masks”, which held a wealth of social functions in everyday life.