Maska Hełmowa Bolo. Bobo. Burkina Faso. XX wiek.

Long ago, the Kingdom of Mossi united several ethnic groups: Bobo, Bwa, Gurunssi, Kurumba, and Lobi. Within its borders, the beliefs, customs, and art of these tribes intermingled, often blurring the differences between them. The masks of these tribes have many elements in common, such as geometric patterns based on triangles.

Bobo masks are made by blacksmiths. According to beliefs, they were given extraordinary powers by the god Wuro, allowing them to communicate with the forces of nature and ensure balance between the sun, earth, and rain. This is done through a series of necessary rituals of purification and eradication of evil.

The mask I offer is a dance mask and has no spiritual power. However, dance is an important part of all tribal celebrations held on the occasion of agricultural festivals, initiations, and funerals. The dancers, who can only be men, whirl around wearing masks and reed costumes.

Bobo helmet masks depict symbolic, simplified faces, decorated with engraved or painted geometric patterns. A comb usually runs through the center of the upper part of the mask, decorated with the unlimited imagination of the creator. Sometimes these are horns, silhouettes of animals or birds, often completely fantastical.

Unfortunately, my mask is quite damaged and cracked, and only a trace remains of what once decorated the crest. It depicts two symmetrically arranged human faces, primitive and schematic, decorated with painted triangles. The eyebrows are made of glued animal hair, which is characteristic of Bobo masks. The mask is very heavy due to its clay filling. It is lined with canvas and reeds to provide the dancer with a minimum of comfort. There are holes around the edge of the mask to attach it to the dancer's costume. The horns have definitely been repaired, perhaps even replaced.

I think the mask is old and was made in the first half of the 20th century. It is 46 cm high and the diameter of the opening at the bottom is about 30 cm.