Senufo Mask Cote D'Ivoire African Art Mid 20th Century

Description

Type of Object
Mask, carving
Country of Origin
Cote D'Ivoire
People
Senufo
Materials
Wood, pigment
Approximate Age
Mid 20th century
Height (in)
21.5
Width (in)
8
Depth (in)
6
Overall Condition
Good. Most of our pieces have spent decades on at least two continents, and have been treasured by several owners.   Small splits, scrapes and cracks are a normal part of their patina attesting to their age and extensive use.  We examine each piece carefully when we receive it and report any damage we find in our listings.  Please look carefully at the pictures which may also reveal condition and damage.
Damage/Repair
Scrapes, small missing chunk from top, please see photos for details.
Additional Information:
"The Senufo are an ethnic group who live in Côte d’Ivoire, previously called the Ivory Coast. The Senufo consist of numerous diverse subgroups, and recognize three secret societies – the Poro, Sandogo, and Wambele. These societies serve the purpose of instructing young men and women how to be good community members, honor their elders and ancestors, and respect supernatural forces. Art is an important part of the Senufo culture and it is tightly tied in with their religion and beliefs. The one that concerns us is the Poro society which makes specialized masks that are used to connect with the gods, ancestors, and bush spirits. The Kponyungo, also known as the “funeral head mask” or “Firespitter,” is the most well-known Senufo mask. The name Kponyungo is derived from the words “kpoo” and “nyungo”, which translates to “the head of the deceased one”. It is a carved wooden helmet mask, which means it is worn over the whole head, and is used in the funerals of the Senufo people." (plu.edu)
The Senufo are a large dispersed population living primarily in Ivory Coast and Mali in small self-administered villages supporting themselves primarily as farmers. Though generally autonomous the villages are joined through a shared men’s secret society known as Poro or Pondo that is responsible for the initiation of young boys and men into different levels of society and to exercise social control and instruct members and initiates in religious wisdom and knowledge of the bush spirits. Women have their counterpart to this ion their divination society known as Sando. Among the Senufo people funerary ceremonies serve as a primary occasion for the appearance art during ritual displays. It is during the funerals of senior members of the Poro society and woman’s society that dances to celebrate the life of the deceased.
Recommended Reading:
Kerchache's ART OF AFRICA
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