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

Wood rectangular face mask (part a) with tall ladder-like superstructure. The face mask has two sunken rectangular areas on either side of the nose, and two cutout square eye holes below a rounded brow ridge. Attached to the back of the mask is brown plant fibre hair. Extending from the top of the head, between the blue ears, is a tall superstructure of openwork panels alternating between various hourglass shapes, and lines, tapering in at the end. The superstructure is two sections, split between the fifth and sixth panel (part b). The two sections are tied together with small strips of leather.

History Of Use

In the past, these masks could reach 18 ft high, and were kept in special caves. The sirige mask (meaning 'storied house'̂) is performed in the Sigi ceremony, held every 60 years to honor the ancestors and renew life force, and during the funeral ceremony of a deceased male community member that took part in a Sigi ceremony. Now, like most Dogon masks, they are also used in civic ceremonies and to greet tourists.

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