Maska Kpelie. Senufo. Wybrzeże Kości Słoniowej. XX wiek.

The Senufo did not create a state in the traditional sense of the word. This name was used by French colonists for ethnic groups inhabiting parts of Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, and Burkina Faso, forming a fairly loose federation. The force uniting these communities was the secret Poro society. It ensured that all tribal rituals were preserved and performed in accordance with tradition. However, some tribal ceremonies were only accessible to members of the society, and the expression and dynamics of events were much higher than in the case of open rituals.

One of the most popular Senufo masks is Kpelie, which translates as "the face of a jumping performer." The prototype of Senufo masks is the face of a beautiful woman, because in the Senufo religion, the central figure is the female spirit of the ancestor, the ancient mother from whom the world began.

The face in the tribe's masks usually has classic beauty, a long narrow nose, large eyes with clearly exposed eyebrows, and, of course, tribal scarifications. Numerous protrusions around the face, exposed teeth, and decorations on the lower lip, sometimes mistakenly interpreted as male facial hair, add to the drama. The symbolism of the mask is not entirely clear. Many researchers of Senufo culture, even those living close to this community, have encountered the barrier of "poro." Poro is therefore secret.

However, I do know that the hornbill at the top of this mask symbolizes fertility. Large sculptures depicting this bird are characteristic of the Senufo.

I do not think that the mask I am offering has ever been used in tribal ceremonies. It was made for sale. Nevertheless, it is quite old and does not pretend to be anything it is not. It adheres to the tribal canon and can be included in a collection of African masks without shame.

The mask is 50 cm high, 19 cm wide, and 9 cm deep. One of the protrusions has been repaired.