LONG HAIRED MALE DAN RACER MASK

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DAN RACER MASK Liberia C. 1980 WOOD: 09 âe Tall, by 6 âe Across The Dan lives in northwestern Ivorie Coast. As farmers they clear forests or reside in the savannah regions in the North. The Dan arrived around the 8th century from the west and north of the western Sudan. They had the reputation of being fierce warriors, always battling with their neighbours. Originally lacking central government they later created the Go Leopard Society. The Dan believes in a world that is divided into two distinct realms - the village that includes inhabitants and human-made utensils and on the other hand the realm of the forest and its wild animals.The wooden masks represent the incarnate supernatural spiritual force, which manifests as a dream to a male initiate. A council of elders decide if a mask should be created from the dream image to be worn by the dreamer. The presence of the mask is required at any significant event in the tribal group. This was also known as a racing mask. It has a pointed face and typical large circular eyes. An unmasked runner pursues its wearer and, if caught, the unmasked runner wears the mask and is, in turn, pursued. Historically, these races trained the men to fight and the winner gained social recognition.Masks with circular eyeholes, which permit uninhibited vision on the part of the wearer are danced on two occasions and also named accordingly. They are known as the Racer Mask (gunye ge) and the Fire Mask (zakpei ge), mask types used by the Northern Dan. The Gunye ge hold running contests on a weekly basis during the dry season. Originally these contests tested the prowess of young warriors. The Zakpei Ge also appears during the dry season to inspect cooking fires and prevent the ever possible and life threatening bush-fires. Guilty women are chastised with a whip, their cooking pots knocked over and taken as security for a fine of money. A WONDERFUL WARM DARK PATINA WITH HIGHLIGHTS. For the Dan, the mask is a channel of communication with the high god Zlan, but the real intermediaries are the spirits of the ancestors who are invoked through the mask.The power of the mask to influence the ancestors depends on the social prestige of the owner, since a man can only reach prominence with their help, and his very success shows that the ancestors favor him. An inherited mask retains its power over the ancestors and the more prestigious its owner was in his life, the more powerful he will be as an ancestor. Similarly, old masks which span several generations are considered especially powerful. The inside shows usage and wear MADE OF WOOD, ROPE, SHELLS, HORN, CLOTH,. CONDITION: EXCELLENT Small chip ( in photo) An outstanding investment mask for any collection or display. Buyer pays $ 22.00 USA Shipping.INTERNTIONAL INSURED AIRMAIL is $34.00 Value $ 400.00 + *** Please note that all old used Arts will have minor imperfections, chips, age cracks and other minor irregularities. *** If you cannot live with that or want a perfect piece, Please do not bid as old used items are never perfect. I will try as best to point out anything beyond that in my item descriptions. PLEASE READ THE LISTING BEFORE BIDDING . DO NOT BID IF YOU ARE NOT GOING TO PAY Return Policy: All items purchased can be returned for a CREDIT within 14 days, if item is not as described ( minus shipping costs ). POLICIES: Buyer prepays, plus shipping and handling. INSURANCE is INCLUDED. Winning bidders outside of the United States get Insured Air Mail. After the auction has ended, I will send you email notification of your winning bid, requesting your shipping information. Upon your reply, due within 3 business days, I will email you with complete information for mailing in your payment or charging through eBay's PayPal (available for U.S. customers and now most International countries). Payments are due within 14 days from close of auction. Seller reserves the right to re... read more

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