Dan Mask 3

Dan Mask 3
Item Number SAS1915

$275

SOLD 

African art and masks of the Dan. The Dan tribe chiefly inhabit the Ivory Coast and Liberia where they arrived in the eighth century B.C. Dan mythology separates the world into 2 entirely separate spheres: the sphere of the village and the sphere of the forest. This wooden mask is one of the myriad types that personify the "Gle", or the spiritual force of the forest.

Dan tradition maintains that the Gle dwells in the forest, yet yearns to be welcomed into the village and participate in the lives of the people. This the Gle accomplishes by appearing in the dreams of young male villagers. If the village elders then decide that the Gle's dreamy appearance was of sufficient import, a mask like this is created for the dreamer. The mask is then required at all important occasions.   There are many different styles of Dan Gle mask, depending upon the form the Gle took in the dream. This mask is 13 inches tall not counting the beard.