--Chi Wara mask/ Bamana people, Mali---
More a headdress than a mask, these figures were worn on the head by dancers celebrating agricultural ceremonies. They allude to the antelope, which was an attribute of the mythic founder of the tribe who taught them agriculture. The dances incorporate leaping movements suggestive of the antelope. This is one is a male. The open, zigzag pattern in the neck symbolizes the sun's path along the horizon between the two solstices. Female versions are as important. They often have a small figure on the back representing a mother and child. Male and female dance together in the ceremonies.
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--Zamble (antelope) mask/ Guro people, Ivory Coast---
Can be spelled "Zamle." One of the three popular Yu masks which include the Gu and Zauli masks as well. Zambles represent the bushbuck. They were once use for social control, but are now employed primarily for entertainment.
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--Mens association mask/ Lega people, Eastern Zaire (Congo)---
Mask of this style were originally used by association members to symbolize the attainment of higher levels of ethical teaching.
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--Gu mask/ Guro people, Ivory Coast---
Gu is a family cult. The mask is kept by a family member who is obliged to perform special duties and observe certain taboos. During the ceremonies the mask is not necessarily worn by its owner, but by a family member who is an exceptionally good dancer.
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--Nyindu mask/ Nyindu people, Eastern Congo---
The Nyindu are another of the little-known tribes found in the Ituri rainforest. As with most art objects from this region, design and craftsmanship tend to be rough.
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--Chewa mask/ Chewa people, Malawi---
The Chewa, part of the Maravi peoples, use their masks for Nyau Society performances at initiations, funerals, and other important events. The Nyau characters consists of over 100 different masks, and is constantly changing, since it often incorporates modern themes into its long tradition. The characters often involve reverse role-playing and the masks can be humorous in nature. Because the society is secret, it was banned by the British.
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--Pwo Mask/ Luvale people, Angola or Western Zambia---
Lovale art is largely based on that of the Chokwe, but includes a more refined use of full, round shapes. This mask represents the ideal young female beauty, Mwano Pwo, and is danced by males during initiation ceremonies and other important occasions to bring fertility and prosperity to the village.
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--Pig mask/ Chowke people, Angola---
Called Ngulu, the pig mask is danced at initiation ceremonies and represents the domestic pig. The mask is danced in an exaggerated manner along the ground or standing up, imitating the crude behavior of the animal. It makes its appearance at initiation ceremonies and other important celebrations.
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--Nyanga (antelope) mask/ Bobo people, Burkina Fasso---
An important group whose masks are especially artistic, the Bobo people live in Eastern Burkina Faso. They are one of the tribes who speak the Gur language and are collectively known as the Gurunzi. The Bobo carve masks to symbolize animals or spirits of the bush, which are worn during ceremonies associated with a new crop, initiations and funerals. When danced the mask is attached to a black or red dyed grass costume that extends from the neck downward, cover the dancer's body to his feet.
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--Kple kple mask/ Baule people, Ivory Coast---
This is an excellent representation of the famous kple kple mask, which is part of the Goli group of supernatural characters widely danced throughout the Baule culture. This one is a male. Females have a reddish background instead of black.
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