Title: Passport mask
Material: Wood
People: Dan
Country: Liberia/Ivory Coast
Description: The best known tradition of using miniature masks were
by the Dan people. These small masks are sometimes called
"Passport" masks due to their use as identification. They
are often sewn onto a piece of cloth & carried on the
person in a pouch. They are miniature copies of family
masks and enable the carrier to retain contact with the
spirit embodied in the parent mask.The masks are used
to invoke benevolent spirits during secret society meetings.
They also demand offerings from initiates during initiation
ceremonies such as libations. In addition to warding off evil,
the minature masks also serve as witnesses during initiation
ceremonies.
4"h x 1.75"w x 1.5"d (hieght on stand 5.25"h)
Title: Passport mask
Material: Wood
People: Dan
Country: Liberia/Ivory Coast
Description: The best known tradition of using miniature masks were
by the Dan people. These small masks are sometimes called
"Passport" masks due to their use as identification. They
are often sewn onto a piece of cloth & carried on the
person in a pouch. They are miniature copies of family
masks and enable the carrier to retain contact with the
spirit embodied in the parent mask.The masks are used
to invoke benevolent spirits during secret society meetings.
They also demand offerings from initiates during initiation
ceremonies such as libations. In addition to warding off evil,
the minature masks also serve as witnesses during initiation
ceremonies.
4"h x 1.75"w x 1.5"d (height on stand 5.25"h)
