Brooklyn Museum: Arts of Africa and the Pacific Islands: Bolo Mask

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Bolo Mask

According to Bobo beliefs, the god Wuro created the world and then appointed his son, Dwo, assist humanity. All Bobo masks serve as a means of contact between human beings and these deities; some represent the deities themselves while others, called bolo masks, depict animals and people. Bolo masks such as this one are usually danced for entertainment.

Culture: Bobo
Medium: Wood, pigment, fiber
Place Made: Taguna region, Burkina Faso
Dates: late 19th century
Dimensions: 30 x 7 1/2 x 7 1/2 in. (76.2 x 19.1 x 19.1 cm)
Collections: Arts of Africa and the Pacific Islands
Museum Location: This item is on view in African Galleries, 1st Floor
Accession Number: 58.184
Credit Line: Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Gustave Schindler
Image: Overall, 58.184_PS1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2007

Catalogue Description: Wood mask, features rather stylistically carved with protruding mouth and eyes, long straight nose, two horns on top of head. Entire front surface covered with fine geometric incised designs. Remains of pinkish substance on facial surface. Black fiber mantle sewn around bottom of mask.

Collections: Arts of Africa and the Pacific Islands: Bolo Mask