Liberia and Cote d'Ivoire: Dan Ngere
The major artwork of Liberia and Cote d'lvoire was the Dan Ngere mask carved out of wood.
The mask which has almost the same appearance and form is used for different purposes. One of such purposes is as a channel of communication with their high god, Zan.
The spirits of their ancestors are also invoked through the
masks.
Another function of the mask is its use, especially the one
known as Dea, during circumcision.
A tall conical headdress
indicating beauty is worn with the Dea mask.
Two types of the Dea masks have been identified. One is used for teaching initiates into the Poro Society and frightening away women and children from the initiation camp.
The other one is worn while collecting food from the mothers of the youths.
Some of the masks regarded as the low ones are merely used for entertaining those who have remained behind in the village while initiaton lasted.
The carving of the masks is idealized to look like a beautiful
woman so as to make the mask pleasing and make the initiates
happy.
The plane surfaces of the masks are slightly flexible to
round off or soften the sharp edge.
The Dan Ngere of Cote I'voire and Liberia were professional
sculptors.
They believed that the first model was shown to the first artist in a dream and 'thereafter the sons succeeded the father but were later encouraged to carve in the areas in which they excelled.
Comments
Post a Comment