African Arts Gallery

African masks and the Muslim influence
Established in Côte d'Ivoire, but also in Ghana, the Ligbi , Islamized, have however been influenced by the Senoufo tribal sculpture, since they commissioned Senoufo or Mandé to sculpt their masks. The Djimini , on the other hand, are Senoufo living in the Dabakala region. For this reason, their masks related to the do society whose dances were generally supervised by the Ligbi are imbued with these reciprocal influences. This masked tradition has been preserved to manifest itself during the religious festivities of aïd-el-fitr and Aïd el Kébir (feast of the sheep) accompanied by sacrifices and songs, and symbolizing in this way the breaking of the fast. Just before the festivities, if necessary, the mask will be repainted and thus coated with koro, composed of burnt foliage whose ashes are mixed with palm oil. The enigmatic face is surmounted by horns reminiscent of the bull mask siginkuru-ayna. Indigenous restorations of the fins.