Masque facial anthropo-/zoomorphe ·  Côte d'Ivoire, Wé - Guéré · ID: 3043829

Description

wood, polychrome painted, fabric, animal skin, aluminiurm, brass (11 bells/pair of animal teeth),

The Ngere are also called the “Southern Wè”. They settle to the southeast of the Dan and to the west of the Bete. The ferocious aspect of their masks accounts for their identification as “war” masks but, according to some newer researchers, they are worn primarily during funerals and, in a “detective” capacity, to single out guilty persons.