Mask Item Number: 3522/31 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Wooden humanoid mask, painted black, with a narrow face that tapers at the chin. Mask has protruding circular eyes and brows carved in relief; rims of eyes are painted white. Long thin nose, with pronounced nostrils, above small protruding lips; two white teeth(?) embedded in open mouth. The cheeks and nose are coloured red-orange; pointed ovals are incised into the cheeks, incisions filled in off-white. A semi-circular ridge extends from the top edge of the forehead, with nails decorating the sides; incised lines across top of ridge and of mask, imitating hair. Top of mask is flat, sides and chin are rounded; interior is hollow. Mask has holes for eyes; holes drilled along left and right sides of mask.

History Of Use

Bugle (bu gle) type mask, used to frighten people.

Narrative

The donor taught in a rural school in Tobli, eastern Liberia, from 1965 to 1967.