Unidentified

Do Association Buffalo Initiation Plank Mask (kab)

circa mid-20th century

Category
Culture
Tusyan or Syemu
Place Made
Burkina Faso: Orodara
Materials
Wood, paternoster seeds, fiber, kaolin, mirror
Measurements
42 x 15 x 3/4 in (106.68 x 38.1 x 1.905 cm)
Credit Line
Museum purchase
Accession #
73.43
Description

Curving horns forming a nearly closed circle that surmount the proportionally large, flat square plank. A small rectangle area at the base of the horns is accentuated by rows of paternoster seeds, or rosary peas, calling attention to an inset rectangular mirror. The square plank is traversed by crossed bands of paternoster seeds in wax. The upper quadrant is slightly curved to accommodate two large eye holes, accentuated with seeds. The mask is framed by a long fringe of blackened leather strands threaded through holes on the sides of the plank.