Baule Mask 2016

Tribe : Baule
Country of origin : Ivory Coast

The Baule were a group from the Akan people who migrated from Ghana in the 17th century. They brought with them many of the skills and traditions for which they were renowned. One of these traditions was mask making. The masks were worn at rituals and used during tribal dances at harvest festivals, during parades to honour distinguished visitors and at funerals of important figures. Baule carvers portray accurate human and animal features in their masks. The circular face of many of the Baule masks represents the life force of the sun and the horns symbolise the power of the buffalo.