A monkey mask, Nunuma, region Kintchieri, village Bissantero, Burkina Faso, of hollowed oval form, a large protruding snout, a triangular flattened nose framed by protruding, coffee-bean eyes with small circular holes, cheeks covered with diagonal striations, semi-circular ears projecting outwardly from the face, a broad, forward-bulging, vertical striated forehead, pierced through at the rim for attachment; an age patina with red, white and black pigments, traces of ritual use, incl. stand.

"The monkey masks usually perform as "entre actes", dancing when the other masks are preparing to perform. The dance steps, the gestures and the musical accompaniment express the unique character of each mask. Animal masks imitate, in a very stylized but expressive way, the actions of behaviors of the animals they represent. One or two young boys of special talent as performances wear a monkey mask at most Nunuma performance. The monkey masks often carry whips that they use to control the crowd. Their performances are rude and sexual, often moving the audience to loud comments."

Lit.: Christopher D. Roy/Thomas G.B. Wheelock: Land of the Flying Masks. Art and Culture in Burkina Faso. The Thomas G. B. Wheelock Collection, Prestel 2007, p. 47.

400 - 500,- Euro

Height: 30 cm
Weight: 500 g