Mossi Mask with Horns Burkina Faso

The Mossi are today the largest single group living in Burkina Faso (previously known as Upper Volta). They originated from horsemen who made their way north from present-day Ghana sometime during the 1500s. The Mossi¬† established powerful kingdoms and though no longer as powerful the Mossi today still identify with their ancient kingdoms and recognize their ruling groups of elders through art and ritual. The Mossi are renowned for their masquerades and brightly painted masks and costumes. Ancestors are highly honored with elaborate funerals and the appearance of masked dancers with masks representing the social rank and identity of the deceased. Various spirits of the ‚recognized by the Mossi are also given form in the masks and their character is proved in the dances.