Senufo peoples, Côte d'Ivoire
Late 19th century to mid-20th century
Wood, brass tacks
28.3 x 16.3 x 8.8 cm (11 1/8 x 6 7/16 x 3 7/16 in.)
2005-6-49, gift of Walt Disney World Co., a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company (cat. no. 46)
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The Senufo use double and single masks interchangeably, although the double mask is rarer. Used in Poro society initiations, funerals and, more recently, public dances, both are considered feminine in appearance and dance performance style. Symbolic references are contained in the mask. For example, some of the projections suggest women's hairstyles or pendants and the ram's horns refer to sacrifice. The square shape projecting from the top of the mask appeared in a vision sent by a particular type of nature spirit and is distinctive for its decorative pattern of brass tacks.
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