A Dogon Monkey mask, Mali, Bankass region. Certificate of origin and provenance.

“The Dogon monkey mask, a striking figure of the Kanaga mask tradition, plays an essential role in the ritual life of the Dogon people. Unlike many masks that focus on ancestral or nature spirits, the monkey mask embodies both the animal world and the spiritual world, signifying the bridge between the human and the supernatural. The mask represents not just a monkey, but the notion of nommo, the Dogon concept of life force and creation, which is linked to water and the fertility of the earth. The mask is used in ceremonies related to the Dama, a funeral ritual that helps the deceased transition into the ancestral realm. It is part of a larger group of masks that engage with concepts of transformation, sacredness, and the mediation between worlds. The character of the monkey mask embodies the traits of agility, intelligence, and tricksterism, aligning with the Dogon’s symbolic understanding of life as a delicate balance between order and chaos.”

— Robert Farris Thompson, Flash of the Spirit: African & Afro-American Art and Philosophy (1983)

“The Dogon monkey mask, like other Dogon masks, is both a work of art and a conduit for spiritual communication. Carved from wood, these masks are adorned with raffia or cloth and may feature exaggerated facial expressions, large eyes, and sharp features to enhance their impact during ritual performances. The visual elements of the mask are more than decorative; they are meant to express the animal’s spirit and its role in the ceremonial dance. The mask’s structure, particularly its vertical axis, symbolizes the connection between the earth and the heavens, the human and the divine. During the Dama ritual, the mask is worn by a performer who represents the monkey spirit, which is believed to possess the wearer, enabling them to perform sacred dances that communicate with the ancestors and the divine forces of creation. The mask’s movements—often acrobatic and fluid—reflect the agility of the monkey, a creature that straddles the line between the earthly and the spiritual worlds.”

— Susan Vogel, African Art: A Century of Collecting at the Museum of Modern Art (2010)

Dama mask: black monkey”. Mali, Bandiagara, 1931. Marcel Griaule © musée du quai Branly - Jacques Chirac.

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Height: 37 cm
Weight: 1,9 kg incl. stand