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We are thankful to Authentica Africa for providing us African Art content to promote art of africa. To know more and buy African Art - visit Authentica Africa - The premier on-line african art and traditions gallery. No part of following contents or images can be reproduced without permission of Authentica Africa.
Mask :: S-Z
Senufo Mask
 The Senufo people live on the northern most border of the Ivory Coast and are spread across Burkina Faso and Mali. Art is held in very high regard by the Senufo; with much of it crafted with the intent of fulfilling specific roles in Senufo social rituals, spiritual practice and utilitarian use. While most villagers earn their living from agricultural endeavors and by raising cattle, the Senufo artisans are allowed a special caste of honor. The Kpembele, are the wood crafting experts of the tribe. They create figurative carvings and masks for ceremonial use. The three important masks presented here are known as Kpelie. Classically carved in wood, they are normally ovular in shape with protruding faces.
The eyes are narrow slits, the nose long and extended hovering over a small pronounce expressive mouth. On either side of the temples are rectangular shapes that depict the stylized coiffure worn by Senufo mothers. Triangular shapes on the sides are ears. The horns, which extend upward from the mask head represent the speed and elusiveness of the bush antelope or the power of the buffalo. There are often two appendages on either side of the chin, "legs" that connect the spirit to the earth.
Most important are the figures on the head, which represent an ancestor or animal that is also closely connected with the society's origin and mythology. The hornbill which appears atop our triad of masks, according to Senufo legend is one of the first creatures on earth and is respected throughout Africa for its perceived wisdom. The hornbill is linked with the esteemed Blacksmith caste and appears on many of their carvings. The Kpelie are worn during initiations and funerall ceremonies of elder members of the secret men's society known as "Poro."
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Swordfish Mask
 The 39 Bissagus Islands of Guinea-Bissau were rediscovered in 1456. Here you will find the Bijogo who were infamous for their daring raids on shipping lines along the African coast using huge canoes. Martial virtues were instilled in young Bijogo men from an early age by highly structured institutions and by ritual performance. Male youths were associated with powerful beasts of the sea and land.
Young boys would wear calf and fish masks, older uninitiated youths would wear heavier masks depicting wild bulls, sharks, hippos and swordfish. The ceremonial dance is frenzied and violent in accord with the perceived behavior of the animal represented by the mask and with the undomesticated behavior of the uninitiated youth. The swordfish mask would be worn with the proboscis pointing forward, the hollow at the rear resting on top of the head and fastened with ties of green raffia.
The mask would not cover the face. The dancer, in full dress, would also wear a large dorsal fin attached to the middle of his back while carrying a shield and a stick with bells. The dancer would make wild swooping and ducking motions during his performance. This type of swordfish mask is best known from the island of Uno.
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Teke Tsaye Mask
 The Teke people reside in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Gabon. The Teke of the northwest are known as the Tsaye. The basic social unit of the two groups is the family, led by the Mfumu or head of the family who has the right of life or death over each clan member. The village as a whole is led by the “father of the land” or Mfumu na tzee.
The Tsaye believe in a supreme God, Nzambi and are socially governed by the secret Kidumu society. The Kidumu, more than a century old, is a political-religious society that intervenes in all major aspects of social life: circumcisions, weddings, judgements and funerals. At the end of a Kidumu ceremony, a dancer, accompanied by musicians, performs with a circular shaped mask which is bisected by a horizontal stripe.
The mask is covered with carved abstract geometrical motifs that are filled in with combinations of pigments such as red, blue, white and or brown. On the back side of this type of mask is "U" shaped wood piece that form a cushion while on the dancer.
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Walu Mask
 The famous Dogon people of Mali continue an ancient ceremonial tradition which commemorates the origins of death. According to their myths, death came into the world as a result of man's transgressions against the divine order. Every five years, "dama" memorial ceremonies are held to accompany the dead into the ancestral realm and to restore order in the universe. They believe that the masquerade rituals given are absolutely necessary. The Walu mask is one important aspect of these performances.
The geometrical wooden mask has an arrow shaped nose that is flanked by deep set triangular eyeholes which is set in a bold rectangular face. What appears to be ears are actually upright horns, indicating that the mask depicts the mythical antelope known as Walu. Walu is said to have been directed by the god of creation, Amma, to protect the sun from the fox Yurugu, who coveted it because he hoped to find his twin sister Yasigi there.
To avenge his failed attempt to possess the sun, the fox dug holes in the ground in which the antelope stumbled and fell, gravely injuring himself. Though he was cared for by one of the eight ancestors of mankind created by Amma, the antelope died. The dance of the Walu reflects this story.
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Yangaleya Mask
 The Ligbi, Nafana and Hwela people of the Ivory Coast craft this type of hard wood mask where human features are combined with the powerful bill of the yangaleya bird or hornbill. Yangaleya masks are among the most popular of those used by members of the "Do" society. They are danced during the funerals of distinguished holy men.
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Yoruba Gelede Society Mask
 The Yoruba people reside mainly in Nigeria but are spread across to Benin. Lush forest and Savannah areas surround them. Their origins can be researched back to the end of the first millennium. Yoruba communal functioning is structured around their religious concepts and their related ritualistic societies.
Yoruba spiritual devotion is so complete and powerful, that all of their important artworks are dedicated to religious ceremony in one way or another. There are three main Yoruba societies or "egbe", one being the Gelede society. This sect is devoted to Yemoja, the mother of all orisha (angelic forces). She represents motherhood, mother of waters, family, sexuality, sorcery and nurturer. Yemoja is the matriarchal head of the universe. She is thought to express the protective energies of the feminine force. The Gelede society function is to keep the peace so to speak between humans and the witches (aje).
During ceremony male dancers impersonate Yemoja by donning breast and costuming that is padded. Masks such as the one on display are worn upon their heads. Our selection is newly carved, brilliantly colored and displays the talents of the dedicated Yoruba artist well.
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We are thankful to Authentica Africa for providing us African Art content to promote art of africa. To know more and buy African Art - visit Authentica Africa - The premier on-line african art and traditions gallery. No part of following contents or images can be reproduced without permission of Authentica Africa.
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