Nov 2, 2009
Nov 2, 2009
Nov 2, 2009

Mask (Omono or Tana Wurum Bogoro)

Mask (Omono or Tana Wurum Bogoro)

early 1900s

Wood and paint

Overall: 91.5 cm (36 in.)

Gift of Katherine C. White 1975.151

Description

Dogon masks can be interpreted on two fundamentally different levels: “front speech” (giri so) reflects an early stage of knowledge and consists of a tale that is intended to arouse curiosity; and “speech of the world” (aduno so) refers to Dogon cosmogony, reserved for highly instructed men and women. Masked dances have recently been organized in Dogon regions for tourists and dignitaries.

See also
Collection: 
African Art
Department: 
African Art
Type of artwork: 
Mask

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