Masque facial anthropomorphe "gunyege" ·  Côte d'Ivoire / Libéria, Dan · ID: 3048446

Description

wood, metal,
Among the Liberian Dan this mask type is described as a “runner mask” and takes the name “gunyege” or “gunye gä”.

During dry season many villages in the surroundings of Man arrange footraces among the youth, at which the respective winner gains the right to wear the mask.

In earlier times, the masks are said to have been used to prepare young men for battle before a war.