Ancient African Dan Mask Liberia 16", 5-lbs (Part of a Private Collection)
The Dan have the reputation of being fierce warriors, always battling their neighbors, The Dan People also known as the Yacuba, are from Liberia. Most of there masks are for the Secret Societies, Protection, and Rituals. The Go master possesses the masks and guards them in a sacred hut. All Dan masks are sacred. Dan masks are characterized by a concave face, a protruding mouth, high-domed forehead and are often covered in a rich brown patina. There are a variety of Dan face masks, each of which has a different function. They believe that the world is animated by a force called Du and that this force is manifested as invisible spirits which take human or animal form and who channel communication with the high God Zlan. These spirits may be perceived via the carvings of the mask. Masks intensify and heighten the experience, whatever the intention of the wearer of the mask is. In order to attain adult status, all the boys and girls of the same age-group undergo an initiation that includes circumcision for the former and clitoridectomy for the latter. (Part of a Private Collection
Dimensions: 16.00x13.00x5.50 inches*
Weight: 5.00 lbs*
* (estimate/approximately)