The border between Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast) and Liberia cuts across several ethnic groups, including the Dan.
All spirit masks are described as ge by the northern Dan and as gle by the southern & western Dan (meaning ‘mysterious being’ or spirit).
The deangle masquerade is associated with the circumcision camp in that the deangle masquerade leaves the circumcision camp and goes into the village to ask the women for food for the men and boys secluded in the circumcision camp.
Through graceful movements, it personifies a nurturing female spirit who provides food for boys living away from home in initiation camps, but is performed only by men. It served in a peacemaking function and generally created harmony in the community as it represents a female forest spirit, with its oval face, slit eyes, full lips, and smooth surface suggesting an ideal of beauty. The Dan, who number approximately 350,000, live inland & also in the Ivory Coast. The Deangle dancer is gentle & graceful representing the idealized Dan form of beauty. Deangle's function is to teach, entertain, and nurture; in other words it supports peaceful activities in the village.Traditionally, the Deangle would entertains& teach by singing accounts of history & by dancing and teaching correct behavior.
It is too big to be a passport mask, and yet is too small for a facial mask.
Height: 5" - Stands 7 ½" tall on its2 ½" square wooden base.
