Item Records

This page shows all the information we have about this item. Both the institution that physically holds this item, and RRN members have contributed the knowledge on this page. You’re looking at the item record provided by the holding institution. If you scroll further down the page, you’ll see the information from RRN members, and can share your own knowledge too.

The RRN processes the information it receives from each institution to make it more readable and easier to search. If you’re doing in-depth research on this item, be sure to take a look at the Data Source tab to see the information exactly as it was provided by the institution.

These records are easy to share because each has a unique web address. You can copy and paste the location from your browser’s address bar into an email, word document, or chat message to share this item with others.

  • Data
  • Data Source

This information was automatically generated from data provided by MOA: University of British Columbia. It has been standardized to aid in finding and grouping information within the RRN. Accuracy and meaning should be verified from the Data Source tab.

Description

Carved and painted mask. The face mask section has a sunken lower face with a strong brow ridge, two triangular cutout eye holes, a thin nose and a small pouted mouth. Large pointed ears extend up and the forehead is decorated with a single raised line down the centre. The superstructure is a female figure with projecting breasts, square shoulders, arms bent at the elbow with one hand on her leg and the other holding a ceramic vessel on her head.

History Of Use

The figure commemorates the first woman, known as Satimbe, who discovered and wore a mask. Her mask was stolen by her husband who prohibited females from ever wearing them. It is also associated with the Yasigne, “sisters of the mask”, females born during the performance of the Sigi festival, a three-month long festival that seeks to honour ancestors every sixty years. The Yasigne are the only women allowed to approach the Satimbe masks. Masquerades involving this mask usually take place during the dry season festival, which acknowledges death and celebrates life and fertility. Satimbe masks are made by blacksmiths using an adze and a single piece of wood; often from the toglo tree. The Dogon believe that trees contain nature spirits, so they carry out rituals before a tree is cut to allow the spirit to be transferred to a new vessel.

Item History

With an account, you can ask other users a question about this item. Request an Account

With an account, you can submit information about this item and have it visible to all users and institutions on the RRN. Request an Account

Similar Items