Animal mask, carved and painted. Long oval mask with smooth face and small rounded ears. The face has oval white eyes with black pupils and small red nostrils. There is a fabric cover attached to the back of the mask with a orange-brown background, dark purple blue swirls with small white dots, and gold and black honeycomb-like designs within circles.

• History Of Use

  Sogo bò (animals come out), a multi-media spectacle of masquerades, puppetry, drumming and song, was originally practiced by Bozo fishing communities--until the mid-nineteenth century when it was adopted by the Bamana blacksmith guild. The animal masks mainly depict those classified as 'sogofin', dark, powerful creatures such as monkeys, hyenas, lions, wild cats, antelopes, hippopotami, and elephants, those which are heavily infused with 'nyama' (life-force).

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• Type of Item mask
• Culture Bozo, Bamana
• Material wood, paint, fibre
• Measurements height 54.0 cm, width 40.0 cm, depth 13.5 cm (overall)

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• Previous Owner Richard Tchuemegne
• Received from Richard Tchuemegne, Michael O'Brian Family Foundation, Museum of Anthropology Exhibitions Budget

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• Made in Segou

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• Ownership Date before February 5, 2020
• Acquisition Date on February 5, 2020

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• Condition good
• Accession Number 3420/0059