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Gelede Mask - female - Yoruba, Nigeria. The Gelede mask is worn during the numerous mask dances. Its primary goal is to both entertain and bridge the
worlds of the dead and the living, considered the sacred and the profane.
The mask dance in Africa is charged with the responsibility of keeping the
balance of life between humans and the gods. The mask becomes the visual and
living manifestation of the gods, both good and evil. The Gelede mask acts out daily life, and more often than not, the conflicts and
misdeeds of the mortal man. All the events of the past year— theft, love affairs,
corruption, abuse of officials are brought to light. The head performer, "Efe,"
a female character, acts out her performance with sarcastic remarks and
reprimands that serve to lighten intricate village tensions. |
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Lega Mask - Congo; Lega art is exclusively focused on and associated with the Bwami society. Each mask has a precise role and function within their ceremonies and rituals and is used only by the initiated. These artifacts are numerous and are created from a variety of materials particularly wood, ivory, bone and elephant hide |
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Janus Figure- Art figure from the Democratic Republic of Congo, the tribe is unknown. Expressive male and female figures with a cross hatched design |
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