Circular dance mask

Title: Circular Dance Mask
Material: Wood, white pigments (kaolin), black pigments
Cultural Attribution: Bwa
Geographical Area: Burkina Faso / Mali
Specific Type: Disc Mask (Masque disque)
Iconography / Symbolism: The circular disc recalls the sun and the cyclical nature of life; the concentric lines represent cosmic cycles and universal harmony. The prominent nose dividing the mask symbolizes the axis of the world, the link between the human and spiritual spheres. The zigzag motifs refer to the path of the spirits, the community’s moral rules, and the duality of order and disorder. In ritual dance, the mask makes visible the presence of the spirits of nature and Do society.
Dimensions: h. 41 x 37 x 14 cm
Function / Use: Used in agricultural, funeral, and initiation ceremonies of Do society. The mask is worn during dances to propitiate fertility, ensure protection, and reaffirm the community’s moral norms.