RACING MASK “Gunye Ge”

Dan Culture, Northern Ivory Coast

First half of the 20th century

Wood, plant fibers and pigments

H.: 21; L.: 12; Thickness: 6 cm

Openwork anthropomorphic facial mask with circular eyes, enhanced with scarifications in arcs of circles on the cheeks and forehead. The latter is slightly rounded, the half-open mouth has lips hemmed with geometric lines, the fine nose ends in two half-moon nostrils and the fine chin is embellished with a beard made of braided plant fibres.

The top of the forehead bears traces of applied vegetable gum.

The entire circumference of the mask is pierced.

The "Gunye Ge" masks function as title presentations during running competitions. Indeed, in the dry season, these weekly events brought together masked and unmasked runners. The unmasked runner was ahead of another masked runner who had to catch up. If he managed to finish the race without being caught, he won the mask and in turn had to chase a runner without a mask. Conversely, if he was caught and hit in the back and neck by the masked runner, the latter retained his title.

Text and photos © FCP CORIDON

Ref.LP: 3028