Africa, West Africa, Burkina Faso, possibly Bwa-style maker / early to mid-1900s
Buffalo Mask
The Cleveland Museum of Art catalogs Buffalo Mask as mask (Africa, West Africa, Burkina Faso, possibly Bwa-style maker · early to mid-1900s).
Once broken, the right horn of this mask was repaired; this indicates that it was valued.
A CLOSER LOOK
The museum identifies this mask as Wood, plant fibers, paint, and iron.
The museum's collection notes: Among the Bwa people, masks with human, animal, and fantastic traits typically represent protective bush spirits. This mask’s horns and muzzle identify it as a bush buffalo. Masked dancers appear during the dry season for initiations, funerals of elders, market days, harvest celebrations, and annual renewal rituals to protect the well-being of the community.
FOLLOW THE EVIDENCE
The Cleveland Museum of ArtBuffalo MaskOriginal explanation based on the sources above. Images carry their own reuse terms.