Hyena Mask Item Number: 3420/55 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Mask carved from wood and painted. The animal face has a keyhole-like shape - a wide rounded top that narrows to a rectangular lower jaw. A large reddish-brown ridge extends over the back of the head, and carries down to the centre of the face, doubling as a nose. There are two small square cutout eye holes. The face is painted with black and white geometric designs of repeating triangles. Two large pointed ears extend out from the top of the head. Dark teal plant fibre hair is attached to the back.
History Of Use
Large masks depict clan animals; the animals are identified in origin stories, or are guardians of fruit. Owned by the clan and stored in ancestor shrines or in a head person’s compound, masks are used in funerals, initiation, and in annual year-end sacrifices for renewal in May.
Item History
- Made in Burkina Faso
- Owned by Richard Tchuemegne before February 5, 2020
- Received from Richard Tchuemegne (Seller), Michael O'Brian Family Foundation (Funding source) and Museum of Anthropology Exhibitions Budget (Funding source) on February 5, 2020
What
- Name
- Hyena Mask
- Identification Number
- 3420/55
- Type of Item
- mask
- Material
- wood, paint, plant fibre and dye
- Overall
- height 118.0 cm, width 55.0 cm, depth 48.0 cm
Who
- Culture
- Mossi
- Previous Owner
- Richard Tchuemegne
- Received from
- Richard Tchuemegne (Seller), Michael O'Brian Family Foundation (Funding source) and Museum of Anthropology Exhibitions Budget (Funding source)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Burkina Faso
When
- Ownership Date
- before February 5, 2020
- Acquisition Date
- on February 5, 2020
Other
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 3420/0055