African Arts Gallery

This African mask Baoulé called mask-portrait or Ndoma, presents a peaceful physiognomy with half-closed eyelids, raised with scarifications called " ngole".
Satin dark brown surface. Desication crack.
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 at the end of entertainment dance ceremonies. These are called, 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 occur during danced events accompanied by music and songs, celebrations, visits by personalities, staging various satirical scenarios. The Gbagba of the Baoulé personify graceful young girls or men whose courage or qualities of integrity are renowned. The new generations are gradually replacing these Mblo dances called Gbagba in some villages, retaining most of the old conventions, with the Kpan Kpan dance. , whose masks raise societal issues or refer to political projects.