Mask – Wood – Bwa – Burkina Faso

Very expressive, sun mask from the BWA people of Burkina Faso. These sun-shaped forms usually affirm the power of the sun, moon and cycles of nature. Hung on a wall or displayed on stand, they are a unique decorator feature in any home or office. Bwa art focuses mainly on their boldly designed masks. Bwa masks transformed the dancer into a supernatural being and were used by the Do society at dances to promote fertility of the fields and at funerals of Do members. The geometric designs all have meanings. The checkerboard pattern symbolizes the separation of light from dark, good from evil, and female from male. Good condition with a beautiful colored patina.