African Arts Gallery

This reduced version of the African mask, flat and circular, the least important in the hierarchy of African masks of the Goli, is surrounded by a thin decorative border, with hollowed eyes surmounted by protruding pupils, and its mouth forms a rectangle in which appears a dentition traditionally lined in young people. The female kplekple mask, according to some authors (African Barbier-Mueller Masks, p.116) is said to be red. Vogel (Baule) indicates, however, that in the Baoulé version of the Goli the male mask is painted red, and the feminine in black. It is likely that this allocation varies from village to village. Abraded carmine patina.
Dedicating the manifestation of a series of masks of the family " Goli ", this circular mask with rounded horns evoking the antelope, appears briefly during the day and then in the evening to announce the coming of his relatives in the guise of goli glin or kpwan. It was during events such as epidemics or funerals that its manifestation took place among the Wans and the Baoulé of Côte d'Ivoire, in order to reconcile the favors of the spirits "amwin" providers of prosperity, health or security. Today, it appears at festive events, the Goli gradually replacing all other masked dances, whether sacred or entertainment.