DAN MASKS ARCHIVES, Liberia and Ivory Coast
The masks below have been sold and are left here for reference and educational
purposes.
Please see DAN MASKS 1
, DAN MASKS 3 and DAN
HEADDRESSES pages for available masks.
Click on a name to see a larger image.
Photographs © Tim Hamill
DAN, MASKS, Liberia and Ivory Coast
Dan masks are usually used by male associations for rituals, education,
social control and entertainment. Masks were thought to embody the most
powerful of spirit forces called gle. Each gle has its own
character. They brought control and order to village life. There are several
distinctly different types of Dan masks.
DEANGLE MASKS
Masks with softly modeled features, slit or downcast eyes and often a
vertical ridge on the forehead are regarded as feminine masks, Deangle,
an idealized form of beauty and grace.. They represent gentle spirits who
collect food from the villagers for boys away in initiation camps and were
used for nurturing, teaching and entertaining. White bands across the eyes
copy the practice of Dan females painting white kaolin on their faces for
special occasions.
TANGAGLE MASKS
Feminine masks, often more intricately carved than Deangle masks,
are used in singing masquerades and confer blessings on the village.
GUNYEGE MASKS
Round eyed masks are used in racing games and ceremonies in which the
masked spirit must compete against unmasked runners. If the wearer lose
the race, it means the spirit has deserted that person and the mask goes
to the winner, as a trophy to wear in the next race.
BUGLE MASKS
Masks with round eyes that project outwards are usually Bugle
masks, used at planting time to aid in the creation of good crops. They
were considered masculine and more aggressive.
GAGON MASKS
Masks with a large beak-like form and beard of monkey fur, often with
a moveable lower jaw, are Gagon masks. Originally an educational
mask instructing people on the importance of the hornbill bird to their
culture, they are now used mostly for entertainment.
ZAKPAI GE MASKS
Masks with a horizontal, usually red band across the eyes, are Zakpai
Ge masks, used to enforce fire prevention. The wearer monitors bonfires
and punishes those whose bad practices endanger the village.
GUERE, MASKS
The Guere, neighbors of the Dan, make masks for similar purposes
to the Dan but usually of a form that is more disturbing or ferocious than
Dan masks. They are used for rituals, education and social control.
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OF THE DAN EXHIBITION PAGE
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3
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TO DAN MASKS WITH HEADDRESSES PAGE
GO TO DAN FIGURES
PAGE
GO TO DAN SPOONS PAGE
GO TO DAN GAGON
MASKS PAGE
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MASKS PAGE
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