African Art Search Results

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Type: mask

Ethnic Group: Dan

Country: Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)

ECU Number: L0024

Description: This wood face mask has a long beak and a blue cloth fragment attached. Such masks are used by the Northern Dan in the male Gagon bird masquerade, and refer to the toucan, king of all birds. The full costume includes a blue and white striped cloth cape, full raffia skirt, and cylindrical hat with feathers. The masks are usually covered with bushy monkey skin and strips of blue cloth.

Significance researched to date: This long beaked mask refers to a bird. Other beaked Dan masks refer to crocodiles and monkeys. It has a long oval face with round eyes, carved eyebrows, wooden teeth, and a long beak. The beaks are usually covered with bushy monkey skin and strips of blue cloth, of which fragments can be seen. Masks like this one are used by the Northern Dan in the Gagon (male) bird masquerade. Similar masks are used by the Man group in the circumcision camp. The full costume includes a blue-and-white striped cloth cape, full raffia skirt, and cylindrical hat with feathers. Accompanied by drummers and singers, the dancer, holding fly whisks outstretched in both hands, appears as a huge flying bird and acts as a dignified judge over communal problems. He is also a great entertainer. Reference is made to the toucan, known to the Dan as the king of all birds. The toucan has a powerful song and brought them the first seed of the oil palm, which is very important to their cultural activities and economy.(Fischer, 81-85)

Type:	mask
Ethnic Group:	Dan
Country:	Cote d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
ECU Number:	L0024

Description:	This wood face mask has a long beak and a blue cloth fragment attached. Such masks are used by the Northern Dan in the male Gagon bird masquerade, and refer to the toucan, king of all birds. The full costume includes a blue and white striped cloth cape, full raffia skirt, and cylindrical hat with feathers. The masks are usually covered with bushy monkey skin and strips of blue cloth.
Significance researched to date:	This long beaked mask refers to a bird. Other beaked Dan masks refer to crocodiles and monkeys. It has a long oval face with round eyes, carved eyebrows, wooden teeth, and a long beak. The beaks are usually covered with bushy monkey skin and strips of blue cloth, of which fragments can be seen. Masks like this one are used by the Northern Dan in the Gagon (male) bird masquerade. Similar masks are used by the Man group in the circumcision camp. The full costume includes a blue-and-white striped cloth cape, full raffia skirt, and cylindrical hat with feathers. Accompanied by drummers and singers, the dancer, holding fly whisks outstretched in both hands, appears as a huge flying bird and acts as a dignified judge over communal problems. He is also a great entertainer. Reference is made to the toucan, known to the Dan as the king of all birds. The toucan has a powerful song and brought them the first seed of the oil palm, which is very important to their cultural activities and economy.(Fischer, 81-85)