Origin: Burkina Faso, Bobo ethnic group

Dating: 2nd half 20th century

Signature: MŻo / A / 3544

Description: An anthropomorphic mask, helmet type, dimensions: height 44 cm; width 30 cm; depth 30.5 cm. Mask is representing a human head with zoomorphic elements, made of polychrome wood using woodcarving techniques. The mask is painted in black, white and red-brown, ornamented with geometric and symmetrical figures. The ears are round, symmetrically located on the sides in the upper part, near the forehead. Mouth is prominent, with visible bared teeth. A nose with a simple shape. Eyes asymmetrical (right eye is smaller than the left one). The top of the head is decorated with a semicircular form. On the perimeter of the mask reverse, there are holes to which a vegetable fiber was attached  in order to cover the head of mask wearer. Inside the mask are visible traces of wood cutting.

The masks of the Bobo people are very distinctive and easily recognizable due to their ornaments and colours. It is relatively easy to buy them in local craft shops, but nowadays it is increasingly difficult to buy well-made masks. Many of masks are found on the souvenir market, very often in a changed style. During religious ceremonies, the mask is dressed in a garment made of colored fibers. On the one hand, to hide the dancer from the audience, and on the other hand, to make it more majestic with its size. However, on the souvenir market they are sold without crumbling fibers, which can also be a habitat of insects, what often discourages collectors from buying complete masks.

Acquired by a collector in craft shop in Bobo-Dioulasso, capital of the Hauts-Bassins region, in 2001.

 The mask was  purchased thanks to funding from by the National Institute for Museums and Public Collections.

 Edited by Lucjan Buchalik

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The purchase is co-financed by the Ministry of Culture, National Heritage and Sport as part of the National Institute of Museums and Collections' own program "Expansion of museum collections".