Dan Mask With Metal Studs Liberia

This is a very old and well-used Dan mask, originating from the Dan people of Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire, and Guinea, are recognized for their elongated faces, and high foreheads, and often feature a central ridge on the forehead. It features metal studs along the brow and lips.

Masks played a significant role in Dan culture, where they were believed to connect mortals to the divine creator, a sculptor named Zlan. Through divine dü, the spiritual forces of creation, humans could be called upon to create a mask that embodied the traits and personality of a specific dü. Dan masks were typically classified as either angular and aggressive (gle gon), or softer and gentle (gle mu). This specific wedding mask belongs to the second group dean gle, the "laughing masquerade", symbolizing a cheerful and agreeable essence.

The dean gle mask is worn by male dancers during elaborate Poro ceremonies, performing intricate dances to honor and seek blessings from the spirit. The Dan's intricate societal structure, featuring family lineages, secret societies, and initiation rituals, is intertwined with their belief in dü spirits inhabiting the wild, manifesting through masks and guiding the Dan in life. Masks within the Dan culture vary in form and function, each designated with distinct roles and responsibilities.

Height (in): 10.0
Width (in): 6.0
Depth (in): 5.0

150874