Goli Glin Masquerade. Baule. Cote dIvoire. (Photo: University of Maryland)
The Goli Glin mask is made from wood and is painted in a red medicinal pigment. The redness of the pigment implies blood, danger, and killing. The rest of the costume is made from palm fiber, which symbolizes life and continuity. The mask symbolizes several animals, such as buffalo, antelope, crocodile, and possibly a bird[1].
The power of the masquerade shows a balancing act of forces. Supernatural forces activate the maskers. The masquerade is often used for the funeral of a higher-up person, which is intended to supply protection and entertainment for the funeral. The embodiment of the masquerade boasts its power with the supernatural forces through its protection and entertainment.
[1] Monica Visona, Robin Poynor, and Herbert Cole, A History of Art in Africa, (New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc., 2008), 220.
The Goli Glin mask is made from wood and is painted in a red medicinal pigment. The redness of the pigment implies blood, danger, and killing. The rest of the costume is made from palm fiber, which symbolizes life and continuity. The mask symbolizes several animals, such as buffalo, antelope, crocodile, and possibly a bird[1].
The power of the masquerade shows a balancing act of forces. Supernatural forces activate the maskers. The masquerade is often used for the funeral of a higher-up person, which is intended to supply protection and entertainment for the funeral. The embodiment of the masquerade boasts its power with the supernatural forces through its protection and entertainment.
[1] Monica Visona, Robin Poynor, and Herbert Cole, A History of Art in Africa, (New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc., 2008), 220.