https://emuseum.cornell.edu/internal/media/dispatcher/76184/fullFace mask (bagle)8 × 5 × 2 1/2 inches (20.3 × 12.7 × 6.4 cm)WoodGift of William W. Brill91.001.0140Wood face mask with open mouth, prominent cheekbones, and darkened surface.
Dan people believe that an essential force called dü is present in all parts of the world - in all animate and inanimate objects. Dü is particularly manifest in spirits who usually reside in the mountains and rely on humans to create masquerades so that the spirits may take corporeal form. Unlike many other African masquerades, the mask does not lose its spirit if damaged; nevertheless, the spirit may choose to abandon the mask, essentially leaving it dead. Finally, a mask spirit has little allegiance to its owner. If looted in war, the mask will transfer its power to the victor after appearing in a new owner's dream.
Masks generally feature physical characteristics of either sex: female elements include elliptical eyes and an oval shape, whereas male facial qualities include a more angular eye and face shape, and a large overall size. Despite these gendered differences, masks are not believed to be male or female, but understood as pa, or "things."
The fairly aggressive, but entertaining bagle masquerade features the central figure with a chorus. The bagle frequently attempts to attack the spectators with a hooked stick he carries or throws pots and other items along his path. The chorus functions not only to express the thoughts and ideas of the bagle, they protect the audience as well. Carrying large staves which they line up to form an impromptu fence around the bagle, the chorus members contain the masquerader's erratic actions.
Suggested reading:
Eberhard Fischer and Hans Himmelheber, The Arts of the Dan in West Africa. Zurich: Museum Rietberg, 1984.
Costume21492725252Dan (Liberia, Ivory Coast, and Guinea)BRIEF DESCRIPTION
This Dan mask represents an aggressive, but entertaining spirit.
WHERE WAS IT MADE?
The Dan are an ethnic group of approximately 350,000 people who live in the West African countries of Liberia and the Ivory Coast.
HOW WAS IT MADE?
This mask was carved from wood. The artist begins by using an adze to make the initial form and then uses chisels and knives to finish and refine the mask. To see a Dan adze in the Johnson Museum’s collection, search for object number 86.015.006 a,b in the keyword search box.
The final form is smoothed with coarse leaves, then stained with oil or resin.
HOW WAS IT USED?
The bagle masquerader is accompanied by a chorus. This aggressive, entertaining spirit frequently attempts to attack the spectators with a hooked stick he carries or throws pots and other items along his path. The chorus functions not only to express the thoughts and ideas of the bagle, they protect the audience as well. Carrying large staves, which they line up to form an impromptu fence around the bagle, the chorus members contain the masquerader’s erratic actions.
WHY DOES IT LOOK LIKE THIS?
Dan artists take inspiration for the form and function of their masks from the appearance of spirits in their dreams. The masks are material forms made for the spirits to inhabit.
Masks generally feature physical characteristics of either sex: female elements include elliptical eyes and an oval shape, whereas male facial qualities include a more angular eye and face shape, and a large overall size. Despite these gendered differences, masks are not believed to be male or female, but understood as pa, or "things."
To see other Dan masks in the Johnson Museum’s collection, search for object numbers 82.114.001, 82.114.002, 89.016.007, 89.016.010, and 91.001.008 in the keyword search box.
91.001.014_d0560_021