Lot: 151

Masque facial "kplekple yassoua" du groupe "goli"

Côte d'Ivoire, Baoulé

Provenance Taille Adjugé
Constance McCormick Fearing (1926-2022) Collection, Montecito / Santa Barbara, USA
H: 39,5 cm Vendu

wood, paint, with cross bar, rest.

The "goli" masks originally appeared in times of danger (i. e. epidemic diseases, funeral ceremonies). They should accomplish connection with supernatural powers ("amwin").

"Kple kple", the first set of masks to appear during "goli" celebrations, represent the junior male society and are used to announce the arrival of "goli glin" and "kpwan". They appear as male-female couple, "kplekple yassoua" and "kplekple bla", painted in black and red.

"Kplekple" is performed by young men wearing a goatskin on their backs and dancing spiritedly to the music and singing of children and adolescents.