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African
Masks
Dan
Mask
Dan
masks have a typically high forehead, pouting mouth and
pointed chin. They may also have scarification marks like
the line that splits the forehead and nose in our example
above.
Dan
masks are carved in wood and stained with a brown dye.
Dan
masks are sacred objects.
Dan
masks are used for protection and as a channel for communication
with the spirit world.
The
Dan also carry small 'passport masks' for personal protection
when they are living away from home.
The
Dan believe that their world is split into two domains:
the human domain which is represented by the village and
its people, and the spiritual domain which is represented
by the forest and its spirits.
When
a dancer wears a Dan mask he becomes the spirit of that
mask.
A
masked dancer will speak in the language of the spirits
and his words are interpreted by a wise man. Some dancers
perform masked rituals on stilts.
There
are many different Dan masks, each of which has a distinct
use during rituals or festivals. Some masks play an important
part in tribal rites while others are simply for entertainment.
Dan
masks are guarded by the go master, the head
of the secret society of the leopard who are responsible
for the initiation rites of young men into adulthood.
The
Dan are hunters and farmers whose territory stretches
from the western side of the Ivory Coast into Liberia.
Mouse
over the map for a more detailed view of Dan territory.
Dan
Mask Drawing
You
can click on the sketch above to view a simplified A4
line drawing
which you may use to help you draw or trace this mask
design. |
