Dogon Bandiagara region, Mali Northern Africa and the Sahel

Face Mask (Kanaga)

INV-1208

Dogon Bandiagara region, Mali Northern Africa and the SahelEarly to mid–20th century

Face Mask (Kanaga)

Dogon Bandiagara region, Mali Northern Africa and the Sahel →

dogonArts of AfricaNorthern Africa and the Sahelafrican Artmaskswood

Date

Early to mid–20th century

Medium

Wood, pigment, and fiber

Dimensions

105.4 × 55.9 × 19.7 cm (41 1/2 × 22 × 7 3/4 in.)

Museum

Art Institute of Chicago

Location

Chicago, IL

Credit

Gift of Neal Ball in honor of Wilbur Tuggle

At a dama funeral, a towering plank mask known as sirige (an example of which is displayed nearby) appears after the performance of several cross-shaped kanaga masks. Admired for the vigorously sweeping movements of its dancer, kanaga is worn with a colorful costume that includes a plaited fiber hood and cowrie-shell-covered vest. It appears in groups that range from a few masks to as many as 70.

Also notable

Works in the same vein

Face Mask (Sirige)

Dogon Bandiagara region, Mali Northern Africa and the Sahel

Male Figure

Dogon Bandiagara region, Mali Northern Africa and the Sahel

Equestrian Figure

Dogon or Tellem Bandiagara region, Mali Northern Africa and the Sahel

Support Post (Toguna)

Dogon Mali Northern Africa and the Sahel