Guerisseur Mask

Item number 3420/20 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

Public

Item Records

This page shows all the information we have about this item. Both the institution that physically holds this item, and RRN members have contributed the knowledge on this page. You’re looking at the item record provided by the holding institution. If you scroll further down the page, you’ll see the information from RRN members, and can share your own knowledge too.

The RRN processes the information it receives from each institution to make it more readable and easier to search. If you’re doing in-depth research on this item, be sure to take a look at the Data Source tab to see the information exactly as it was provided by the institution.

These records are easy to share because each has a unique web address. You can copy and paste the location from your browser’s address bar into an email, word document, or chat message to share this item with others.

Data
Data Source

This information was automatically generated from data provided by MOA: University of British Columbia. It has been standardized to aid in finding and grouping information within the RRN. Accuracy and meaning should be verified from the Data Source tab.

Description

The mask has a two sunken rectangular spaces within a raised rectangular border, raised jagged-edged nose, rectangular cutout eyes, and pointed ears. The mask is painted with orange-brown and red-brown. Extending up from the head between the ears are two long, slightly curved and spiraled ears or horns. A loosely woven plant fibre net is attached to the back.

History Of Use

Animal masks were carved by the Dogon to receive the spiritual energy of animals after death. The walu (antelope) mask is worn during a Dama ceremony of a deceased clan member that had participated in the Sigi ceremony. Dama ceremonies help escort nyama (spirits) to the afterlife and last six days. During the ceremony, the mask society performs in the village plaza and on the terrace of the deceased's home. The Sigi ceremony occurs every sixty years and is performed to commemorate the death of Lebe, the first ancestor to die. The dancer who wears the antelope mask often holds two short sticks, which are used to scratch the ground to represent antelope behavior during their mating displays. The walu masquerade dance at the Dama ceremony potentially tells the story of the walu's struggle and eventual death at the hands of yurugu (fox) while trying to protect the sun. The fight for the sun was the purpose for the walu's creation by Amma, the creator of the universe.