Bolo Entertainment Mask

Bolo Entertainment Mask

Bobo Culture

Bobo

Upper Haute Volta, Ouagadouga area

The Bobo of Burkina Faso and Malie revere the god Wuro, the indescribable being who created the world. It is believed that, when humans spoiled the earth, Wuro departed, and he left in his stead his son Dwo, who was revealed in the form of a mask. All Bobo masks are said to represent Dwo; however, they are not direct representations of this supernatural being, as it is not possible to represent Wuro and Dwo in physical form. Bobo masks were traditionally made by the community blacksmith, and they are usually carved from wood and then painted by the community's farmers in triangular patterns of red, white, and black. Grass or others fibers are attached to the bottom of the mask to conceal the masquerader, who also wears full-length body garments covered with fibers in brilliant colors, which fly outward during their active dances. Unlike other Bobo masks, which are made of more perishable materials, wooden masks are kept by the community after the masquerade rituals, and these masks are repainted every season for reuse.

This mask is likely a Bolo mask, which is used primarily for entertainment masquerades during the three major rituals of the Bobo, which are initiation ceremonies, annual harvest, and funerary rites. The carvers of Bolo masks have considerable latitude in their design, and the masks appear in many different forms. This mask has a humanoid face, but square eyes, along with the horns of a large, powerful animal.

Research by Catherine Munoz, 2013, Missouri State University Student. Mentor: Dr. Billie Follensbee

89 cm h. x 33 cm w. x 32 cm d.

sculpture

wood

carving

Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Stoneman

1985.23

1985

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