Click Here for New Arrivals! The Western forest of the Ivory Coast is home to the Wobe. Their close geographical proximity to the dominant Dan tribe, through time, has brought about an integration of the two cultures. The Wobe share many of the same socio-religious ritual practices and ideologies as the Dan. Wobe culture has been so infused with Dan philosophy that the Wobe people are referred to as Dan-Wobe. One shared belief is that the spiritual and temporal worlds depend on each other for general well being. The Wobe believe that “Zlan” the creator of all human beings and animals has infused everything in nature with a special spiritual force or vital energy called the “Du.” This invisible power wishes to communicate with humankind and to become involved with tribal affairs. The spirits achieve this through dreams and manifesting itself within ritualistic vessels of its own choosing oft times using the ceremonial mask or “Gle.” The Dan-Wobe Gle offered here was used by the Poro secret society during the mid- twentieth century. The Nganga empowered the mask with four cloth covered fetish bundles (balongo) that are intact. A seashell is attached to each bundle. The chin area is composed of two styles of antique bells, in working order, that were used to summon the spirits and to alert the masses during ceremony. Twenty-three cowry shells adorn the fabric laden head crest. The wide bulging eyes are highlighted with crusty white kaolin. This same matter can also be found on the inside of the lips. The whiteness of the pigment suggests that this vessel served as a voice and seeing vessel for the ancestors. The ridges that run across the face adjoining to the outside of each nostril are indicative of classic Dan-Wobe styling. For the Wobe a mask with such stature becomes an object of spiritual worship and is subject to receiving offerings of rice, palm oils and sacrifices during full moon periods. Over time the result of such libations is a rich patina sought after by the most refined collectors. Please click photo for enlargement! Sold When OFFLINE click button to leave a message! Dimensions: 11 5/8 inches long x 8 inches acrose x 4 inches deep. Wt:6 lbs. |
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