African Arts Gallery

Baoulé mask (N° 22204)

Ex-collection African Belgian art.
This large African mask Baoulé, sculpture named mask-portrait or Ndoma, has a braided hairstyle gathered in shells. The placid physiognomy of the face, with half-closed eyes, is enhanced by scarifications called "ngole". Smooth satin patina.
These Baoulé portrait masks, ndoma, which are part of one of the oldest Baoulé artistic traditions and frequently represent an idealized character, have the particularity of appearing at the end of entertainment dance ceremonies. These are named, according to the regions, bedwo, ngblo, mblo, adjussu, 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 problems or refer to political projects.