African Arts Gallery

Embodying a spirit, this African Mossi mask offers stylized zoomorphic elements. The geometric patterns are enhanced with an abraded polychrome patina. The black patina was originally obtained from charcoal and gum tree pods. The mask holder and his family worshiped the object through offerings such as millet beer, while invoking its protection.
The Mossi masks, personal or lineage, constitute an incarnation of tutelary spirits offering their support. They perform at burials, funerals of clan chiefs, protect crops. True altars without their costume, they can receive libations such as millet beer to honor the ancestors. Their appearance is now frequent during entertainment shows. Upper Volta, Burkina Faso since independence, is made up of the descendants of the Nakomse invaders, horsemen from Ghana, and the Tengabibisi, descendants of the natives. Among them, farmers and blacksmiths, saaba, used masks, wando, receptacles of tutelary spirits, which often represented the animal totems of the clan.