Mau (Dan Maou, Mao), Côte d’Ivoire

Koma ba ceremonial hand-held mask. The Mau people, a Malinke group, occupy the northwest part of the Dan territory. The koma men’s association is active not only among the Mau, but spreads as far as the Wobe and into the northern Dan region. The Mau masks are sacred; they do not represent spirits of the wilderness, they are these spirits. Such masks were given sacrificial libations intended to combat destructive forces. Contrary to other masks from this region, the koma ba is not attached to the head of the wearer. During the dance, it is being held in the hand, in front of the face. It is in the presence of the initiated males that the pair of these masks appears, with the aim of tracking down and eliminating sorcerers who disrupt village life.

Material: wood

Size: H. 26½”, W. 6”, D. 6”

Price: $325+$50 (S&H)                                          [#U8G7M175]