Bull Mask Item Number: 2736/1 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Round, two-part, black and dark brown (stain or paint?) bull mask, with natural horns bound with cow hide and black woven band, has foam at bottom edge attached with nails. Green bottle glass eyes surrounded with cow hide stare out to the side and there is square opening below the chin. Several lengths of green synthetic rope are wound and bound around the neck joins, white rope and more of the green are knotted inside the head and emerge through nostrils and holes, one has a fibre and wood toggle at the end.
History Of Use
Bijogo society is stratified into seven age grades, at least four of which are associated with specific masquerades. Only by completing the full cycle of initiation are deceased adults able to avoid becoming wandering spirits and able to unify themselves with the creator deity. These heavy bovine masks, duyn’be, are used during a mid-level age grade, cabaro, and express the similarity between the wild temperament of post-adolescent males and the strength and fury of oxen before they are tamed.
Item History
- Made in Bissagos Islands, Guinea-Bissau
- Owned by Art Africa before February 20, 2009
- Received from Art Africa (Seller) and U.B.C. Office of the Provost (Funding source) on April 20, 2009
What
- Name
- Bull Mask
- Identification Number
- 2736/1
- Type of Item
- mask
- Material
- wood, paint, cow horn, cow skin, metal, polyurethane foam, synthetic fibre, cotton fibre and plastic
- Overall
- height 47.0 cm, width 55.0 cm, depth 34.0 cm
Who
- Culture
- Bijogo
- Previous Owner
- Art Africa
- Received from
- Art Africa (Seller) and U.B.C. Office of the Provost (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Bissagos Islands, Guinea-Bissau
When
- Ownership Date
- before February 20, 2009
- Acquisition Date
- on April 20, 2009
Other
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 2736/0001