Bobo Miniature Figural Mask Burkina Faso 13 inch

The Bobo people, numbering 130,000 and residing in eastern Burkina Faso and Mali, are skilled woodcarvers known for creating intricate sculptures and masks. Their carvings, characterized by elegant lines and intricate detailing, play a vital role in traditional rituals and ceremonies. The Dwo mask, a sacred creation, is believed to protect villages from evil spirits, while the Boli figure is used to honor ancestors and connect with the spirit world. The Bobo's agricultural lifestyle is regulated by a council of elders, rejecting the concept of a chief. Their god, Wuro, created the world, with Dwo as an intermediary between humankind and the creator. Masks, representing animals or spirits, are integral to purification ceremonies, erasing evil and restoring balance between sun, earth, and rain. Worn during various ceremonies, the masks depersonalize the wearer, symbolizing the presence and action of divinity. The Bobo's woodcraft reflects their deep cultural heritage and connection to nature in the region's dry savannas.

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