Buffalo Mask
Africa, West Africa, Burkina Faso, possibly Bwa-style maker · early to mid-1900s · Cleveland Museum of Art
Guide
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From the museum
Among the Bwa people, masks with human, animal, and fantastic traits typically represent protective bush spirits. This mask’s horns and muzzle identify it as a bush buffalo. Masked dancers appear during the dry season for initiations, funerals of elders, market days, harvest celebrations, and annual renewal rituals to protect the well-being of the community. Once broken, the right horn of this mask was repaired; this indicates that it was valued.
The museum’s own description, in English. Licence: CC0
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Details
- Maker
- Africa, West Africa, Burkina Faso, possibly Bwa-style maker
- Date
- early to mid-1900s
- Medium
- Wood, plant fibers, paint, and iron
- Dimensions
- Overall: 69.8 cm (27 1/2 in.)
- Place of origin
- Africa
- Held by
- Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland · On view · 108A African
- Credit line
- Gift of Katherine C. White
Image: Cleveland Museum of Art, CC0