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Congo Masks

Wood mask, ‘Bird God’s Promise’Deeply spiritual, this mask hails the Bird God, for when he arrives he brings the promise of a good harvest as well as an abundance of food. This belief is upheld by the Guro people of the Ivory coast, and is beautifully replicated by Salihu Ibrahim. Working with manual tools, he carves a sese wood mask of splendid and detailed artistry.

Wood mask, ‘Storm God’Dark eyebrows knit thoughtfully and blazing eyes observe the earth. Juliana Akandas depicts the orisha (god) of thunder and lightning. Believed to have founded the Yoruba kingdom in Nigeria, he is portrayed in a sese wood mask. Human in his attributes, the god reveals his deity through hand-painted color.

Wood mask, ‘Fang Hunter’Long and narrow, this stylized visage gazes into the distance through narrowed eyes. Abstract motifs in blue and dark brown accentuate the features, carved and painted by hand. Working in sese wood, Salihu Ibrahim creates a mask from the Fang tribe of Gabon, where these images were consulted when the village was to change location and before going hunting.

Wood mask, ‘Fang Farmer’Arched eyebrows frame the canny eyes of a god in touch with the earth. Long and narrow, the serene visage appears in the colors of the fertile African soil. Venerated by the Fang people before new crops are placed in the ground, this mask by Salihu Ibrahim represents their recent settlement in Gabon. For generations in the past, the Fang were a nomadic group of hunters.

Wood mask, ‘Bountiful Earth’Earth colors swirl enticingly across burnished sese wood, evoking the fertile soil and blue waters of West Africa. Carved and painted by hand, this mask represents a deity of the Fang people. Salihu Ibrahim creates the serene god invoked at harvest time and for a good catch when fishing.

Wood mask, ‘Harvest Ritual’Wearing a tall cap, this calm, slender visage breaks into a slow smile. Salihu Ibrahim transforms sese wood into an exquisite mask. Smooth contours take on deep earth hues, with fine motifs etched in regular patterns. Representative of the Fang people of Gabon, such masks are used at harvest rituals.

Wood mask, ‘Fang Ceremony’A helmet-like headdress contrasts with dark sese wood features, conferring a serious air on this elegant personage. Triangles adorn the cheek like tears and a diamond adorns the upper portion. Crafted by Salihu Ibrahim and considered therapeutic, the mask represents the Fang tribe of Gabon. Such masks are used for rituals and, above all, for the initiation of young males during the great So festival that celebrates an abundant harvest.

Wood mask, ‘Dan Mother’She seems to speak. Beneath arched brows, her wide eyes emanate love and wisdom, while her serene features possess a quiet joy. She represents a mother from the Dan people of Dangere in the Ivory Coast. Victor Yao Delanyo carves a mask used to settle strife within the tribe.

Wood mask, ‘Baoule Spirit Dance’Seemingly surprised, a watchful personage bares its teeth. Horns crown the circular mask, and intricate geometric patterns surround it. Depicted in hand-carved sese wood, a minor spirit masks young men dancers from the Baoule tribe of the Ivory Coast. Victor Yao Delanyo recreates a design used in the Goli spirit dance, as men of junior rank dance before their seniors.

Wood mask, ‘Horn’This magnificent mask originates from the people of Yoruba in Nigeria. Over time, the mask’s style has been added upon by other regions on the continent - providing new decorative materials such as beads and brass. The mask is skillfully hand-carved from sese wood, and it features engaging horns that traditionally signify strength. The Yorubas then believed that whoever wore this mask adapted its powers. It is adorned with aluminum metal plates, red tones for the eyes and lips, African symbols beautifully arranged over the piece. A remarkable image of strength for any home interior.

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