Headdress: Kponyungo
Artist: Senufo Peoples (African)
Date: Mid 19th - early 20th century
Dimensions:
H. 11 1/4 in. (28.6 cm), L. 34 in. (86.3 cm).
Medium: Carved wood
Place of Origin: Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire), Bagor River Valley region
Classification: Sculpture
Credit Line: Purchased with funds from the Libbey Endowment, Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey
Object number: 1973.9
Label Text:Nicknamed “Open Jaws,” this mask might be described as a “battleship” of defensive weapons against the spirit world. During funeral and mortuary rites, the Kponyngo (“head”) mask wages spiritual combat against evil forces that may be lurking or that may be held responsible for the death. The mask is a composite of many animals—hyena, wild boar, chameleon, hornbill, antelope, and ram. Chameleon is prominently depicted (between the horns), for it is considered to be a messenger between humans and gods. When a Kponyungo mask performs, it can emit fire or sometimes a swarm of bees envelops the spectators’ heads before returning to the mask’s jaws.
Not on view
In Collection(s)