A Goli Baule sculpture, Cote d'Ivoire, from the region of Beomi, circular face with horns and simple beady eyes and a square mouth with blue dye on it. Incl stand. A Goli Baulé mask from the Béoumi region of central Côte d’Ivoire represents one of the most prominent and publicly visible expressions of Baulé masquerade tradition. Goli performances are closely tied to community festivals, funerary commemorations, and moments of collective renewal, and the mask functions as both a sculptural object and a performative instrument. Its significance emerges through coordinated interaction between carving, costume, music, and dance. Formally, Goli masks from the Béoumi area are characterized by bold, circular forms and striking graphic clarity. The face is typically broad and frontal, with large, projecting eyes, a pronounced mouth, and strongly emphasized contours that enhance visibility during performance. Animal attributes, particularly those of the buffalo or antelope, are often integrated into the design, signaling strength, protection, and controlled power. Painted surfaces and contrasting colors reinforce the mask’s visual authority and rhythmic presence. Within Goli masquerades, the mask does not represent an individual spirit but a collective force that embodies vitality, discipline, and communal order. Performances are organized by age-grade associations, and participation follows strict protocols that regulate access, movement, and musical accompaniment. The mask’s power lies in its capacity to command attention and synchronize communal energy through sound and motion rather than through secrecy or esoteric knowledge. Carvers in the Béoumi region adhere to established Goli conventions that prioritize symmetry, balance, and legibility. While regional variations appear in proportions, eye treatment, and surface patterning, innovation remains constrained by the functional demands of performance. The success of the mask depends less on sculptural complexity than on its ability to engage dynamically with the dancer’s movements and the surrounding crowd. A Goli Baulé mask from Béoumi thus exemplifies a tradition in which sculpture operates as a catalyst for collective experience. By combining visual force with choreographed performance, it reinforces social cohesion and affirms shared values through public spectacle and embodied rhythm. CAB321221