Minneapolis Institute of Art

Mask

Senufo artist

Date

first half of 20th century

Medium

Wood, pigment, metal

Culture

Senufo

Department

Arts of Global Africa

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

This mask is a “firespitter.” The wearer places dried grasses and glowing chips of wood in the mouth and blows on them, usually in nighttime performances when the effect is most dramatic. Get closer to the mask and you’ll see an assortment of devouring jaws, dagger-like tusks, and multiple horns. The mask is meant to evoke the terror of sorcery while also conveying the kind of supernatural warfare it takes to protect the community from ill-intentioned people. Senufo, Côte d'Ivoire, Africa

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