Wild Bull Mask - Wood, branches, cord - Bidjogo - Guinea - 27 cm

The most famous mask is that of the wild bull. It is a heavy and massive helmet mask called ESSENIE. His eyes are glass and give him a special look; horns frame the top of the mask. The Essenié dancer moves on all fours, as if plowing the ground. Its neckline, mobile, allows it to play the position of the head. The repertoire of bovid masks is wide among the Bidjogo (Bijago) and varies according to the villages: The GNOPARA is the mask of a female bovid, in homage to the “sacred cow”, the image of fertility. The DUNG’BE stands for the domestic beef. The release of the masks is linked to various events: the return from work in the fields, foreign visits, commemorations. Bovid masks are also used during male initiation rites. The heavier masks are worn by the youngest during initiation. This would represent the idea of the young man in full possession of his physical strength but "immature" because he had not yet received all the teachings given during the initiation. Here a superb old crest mask, the frame of which can be seen in twigs tied with rope. Wood coated with a white clay patina. Dimensions Width 39 cm Length 34 cm Height 27 cm