Unspecified / 1988
Limba funeral masks
Limba funeral masks
The Smithsonian catalogs Limba funeral masks as articles in its Limba brass masks (Costume)) records.
WHY IT’S INTERESTING
Masquerades with brass masks (gbendekolo) perform at funerals for Limba chiefs where they dance around the edges of a huge bonfire defying its heat and flames. The flattened masks are worn to the side of the head, shielding the dancers from the fire. The masks have stylized faces hammered in relief at the center and hinged side flaps. Hart documents nine such masks and speculates that this masquer