The Dan people inhabit the mountainous west-central Cote d’Ivoire and adjacent areas of Liberia. They are closely related to the Guere peoples to the south.
Masks are the single most paramount form of artwork created by the Dan, creating a bridge between the supernatural and physical worlds.
The Dan’s religion is based on traditional animist beliefs and practices. They believe in a creator deity but also worship a spiritual power – Du – that permits reincarnation from one person to another . . . and some times to an animal.
It is thought that this mask is a transformational mask worn by a Dan member during a ritual in an attempt to cross over into the spirit world. Here, a distressed human face – wearing identifying materials – seeks to move from the human realm to the spiritual realm. Stand is included.
This mask has sold. Thank you C.S. !!!!