Global Art & Artifacts

mask

Authentic. Rare. Old Tharu Exorcism / Shaman Mask.  Terai Region.  Morang District.  East Nepal.

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Tharu tribal members from this area are nature worshipers. They worship many forest spirits and deities, including the forest goddess.  Many of the most primitive tribes live in/near forests and near rivers.   This shamanic mask was used in rituals, festivals and exorcisms by a village shaman.  The… Continue reading

Senufo Double-Faced Mask.  Kpelie.  Tribal.  Ancestral.  Cote D’Ivoire Africa

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    The Senufo – a traditional agricultural people of the northern savanna – Kpelie masks either represent a Poro ancestor or a supernatural spirit of a deceased village person.   This double-faced mask has provided a variety of functions.  It is a significant part of the rites of… Continue reading

Museum Quality Chokwe Mwana PWO Mask. Congo. DRC.  Africa

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    This stunning mask is from the Chokwe people of the Congo with similar masks coming from Angola.  Mwana Pwo masks are handcarved by a craftsmen to represent an ancestral spirit of Pwo or the archetype of womanhood and fertility.  Such efforts are significant  given the… Continue reading

Hand Crafted Baule Ram Mask.  Zoomorphic. Stunning.  Cote d’Ivoire. Africa

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    The Baule are one of the Akan peoples who moved west to the Ivory Coast more than 200 years ago. They adopted masking traditions from their neighboring tribes such as the Guro, the Senufo and the Yaure.   During the 18th century, Baule queen, Aura Poku, was in… Continue reading

Bena Lulua Helmet Mask.  Luba Empire.  Kalamba.  Congo / Zaire

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    The Lulua tribes – aka as Bena Lulua – migrated from western Africa in the 17th Century and found their home in the southern part of Zaire (aka Democratic Republic of Congo).  They formed small chiefdoms and their social structure was based on a caste system. … Continue reading

Old Spiritual Dan People Mask.  Wood.  Liberia. Africa

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    Dan masks are so very intriguing!   In the 9th Century, the Dan people migrated from western Sudan region to the north which is part of (present day) Mali.  Then, because of conflict, they migrated to Cote D’Ivoire . . .  and – present day –… Continue reading

Unique and Rare Djimini Mask.  Wood and Leather.  Côte d’Ivoire

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    The Djimini (aka Dyimini) people of Cote d’lvoire are part of  the larger Senufo group.  Heavily into story telling about their history and traditions, this group believes in animism as their main religious practice.  Everything, everything has a spirit inside it . .  the… Continue reading

Yaka Ndeemba Mask.  n-khanda / Mukanda Ceremonial.  Northern Yaka.  Northern DRC Congo

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  After a long history of forced migration and union with other groups, the Yaka have been an independent society since the 19th century.  Living in the northern Congo, the Yaka are primarily hunters, although they also practice small scale farming.  The Yaka has a tight-knit control… Continue reading

Bronze Passport Mask.  Igbo Tribe.  Lost Wax.  Igbo-Ukwu. Nigeria.

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    The people of Igbo-Ukwu (southeast of Onitsha), ancestors of present-day Igbo, were proficient in metal working art in the 9th century (+ or – years depending on what expert you speak with). They are thought to be the earliest smithers (hammering, bending, twisting & incising) of copper and… Continue reading

Punu Lumbo Okuyi Mask.  Funerary.  Ancestral.  Ogooue River region.  Gabon

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    Well known for white-faced masks (Okuyi), the ethnic group that this was acquired from (Mpongwe) has two separate uses for masks like this.   Costumed ceremonies include rites of passage and funerary events.   This mask was used for the later.  The typical Okuyi performer wears a… Continue reading
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