African wood mask antiques Home Décor Dan Gagon Masks for wall-G2536

SIZE(CM): 31/13
The Dan masks are sacred, as they do not represent spirit of the wilderness, as many other African masks do. Instead they are the spirits. Mano masks are kept in a sacred enclosure near the community meeting place. They are brought out to reenforce the authority of a leader. When danced, the masks represent judgement in disputes between individuals. This bird mask shows a hornbill, which is a sacred bird in many societies. The hornbill motif and the sacrificial material on the top of the head represent the supernatural power of this mask.