Mask (Karan-wemba)
Mossi
1 of 5
Object Label
The female figure atop this mask represents a married woman who has just given birth to her first child—a moment when a woman is considered to be the most beautiful by the Mossi. Such masks are danced at burials and celebrations to honor the spirits of deceased female clan elders.
Caption
Mossi. Mask (Karan-wemba), 19th century. Wood, 31 x 8 1/2 x 6 3/4 in. (78.7 x 21.6 x 17.1 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Beatrice Riese, 2005.13. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Culture
Title
Mask (Karan-wemba)
Date
19th century
Geography
Place made: Nord Region, Burkina Faso
Medium
Wood
Classification
Dimensions
31 x 8 1/2 x 6 3/4 in. (78.7 x 21.6 x 17.1 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Beatrice Riese
Accession Number
2005.13
Frequent Art Questions
Why does African sculpture feature such pronounced navels?
There isn't a universal reason. In this case, the Karan-wemba mask depicts a married woman of high rank. She is seen as young and at the height of her beauty—just after giving birth to her first child, which could explain her slightly protruding belly.
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