Most Poro society miniature masks are too small to be worn, and they rarely exhibit any means by which they may be attached to anything.
Miniature masks bear many names, and echoing the variety of names, they fulfill a variety of functions. They are wrapped up and kept on the owner’s body or among his possessions and function as portable and personal forms that share the power and protective force of the full-sized mask. Miniature masks are carved to embody tutelary spirits associated with a large masquerade. When a mask-owner is travelling, the miniature mask serves as an important means of identification outside his immediate community. This role that may have given it the commonly applied name of "passport mask," and is the belongs to one single person.
They are used as sacred objects for taking oaths and for swearing to tell the truth.
Acquired from someone who's uncle had collected it in west Africa 60 -70 years ago.
Height: 9 3/4" x Width: 4 1/4" x Depth: 2 1/2"
