Glewa Mask - Dan - Liberia

The Glewa “grand” masquerade, also called the “masquerade that enforces the law,” has a variety of face masks. This is mainly because, over time, respect for a mask increases, it acquires new functions, and its position in the hierarchy of the masquerade rises. A second fundamental reason contributing to the variety of face masks is the Go society, which collects existing masks and changes their functions throughout its services. Apart from notable exceptions, reproduced in Harley (1950) and Schwab-Harley (1947) and the two masks to be explained below, Glewa masks are rarely found in Western collections. The Glewa of Nuopie is called Blongue, “the largest mask of all,” or Bie “elephant.” It is a long mask with a low forehead split by a vertical scar and flanked by white-painted horns symbolizing elephant tusks. The eyes are tubular, surrounded by metal rings; the nose is short and the mouth large and articulated with inserted teeth. The cheeks are high and decorated with studs. When the mask is in action, it is an impressive sight, with feathers on its head, a voluminous raffia skirt, and a white woven coat. It does not seem that the face mask is so small.

Provenance: Berthe Hartert collection
Argiles collection, Barcelona