African Arts Gallery

Baule Ndoma face mask (N° 16839)

This African Baoulé mask, an African sculpture called A portrait mask or Ndoma, features braided hair flanked by two side duvets. The face features the traditional scarficions called " ngole". Dark brown surface mattified with a clay coating.
These portraits of the Baoulé, ndoma, which are part of one of the oldest baoulé artistic traditions and frequently represent an idealized character, have the peculiarity of manifesting themselves at the end of the entertainment dance ceremonies. The latter are named, depending on the regions, bedwo, ngblo, mblo, adjussu, etc. Each of these masks are distinguished by the hairstyles, the location and the choice of scarifications. They perform during danced events accompanied by music and songs, celebrations, visits of personalities, staging various satirical scenarios. The Gbagba baoulé personify graceful young girls or men whose valour or qualities of integrity are reputed. The new generations are gradually replacing these dances Mblo called Gbagba in some villages, retaining most of the old conventions, with the dance Kpan Kpan , whose masks raise societal problems or refer to political projects.