African Arts Gallery

Former Belgian collection of African tribal art Carved from very dense wood, thismale African mask of figurative type is called portrait mask or Ndoma among the Baoule. Glossy brown patina, abraded. These African masks portraits of the Baoulé, ndoma, which are part of one of the oldest Baoulé artistic traditions and frequently represent an idealized character, have the particularity of manifesting themselves in the end of the entertainment dance ceremonies. The latter are named, depending on the region, bedwo, ngblo, mblo, adjussu< /i>, etc.... Each of these masks are distinguished by the hairstyles, the location and the choice of scarifications. They perform during dance events accompanied by music and songs, celebrations, visits from personalities, staging various satirical scenarios. The Gbagba of the Baoulé personify graceful young girls or men whose valor or qualities of integrity are renowned. The new generations are gradually replacing these Mblo dances called Gbagba in certain villages, while retaining most of the old conventions, with the Kpan Kpan dance. , whose masks raise societal problems or refer to political projects.