A Kulango mask, Bondoukou region, Côte d’Ivoire, remains of red pigments, highlighting the cheeks, perforations at the perimeter with raffia strings; darkened patina, achieved through handling, libation, and sacrificial application. Incl stand. This mask originates from the Kulango (Koulango) communities of northeastern Côte d’Ivoire, particularly the Bondoukou region, an area historically situated at the crossroads of savanna trade networks linking Akan, Gur, and Mande-speaking peoples. Kulango masking traditions reflect this intercultural milieu while maintaining distinct formal and ritual characteristics. Carved from a single block of lightweight wood, the mask typically presents an elongated or oval face with restrained yet expressive features. Kulango masks function within a complex ritual framework tied to initiation cycles, community protection, and moral regulation. Appearing during funerary rites, agricultural festivals, and moments of social tension, the masked performer mediates between ancestral forces and the living community. Performance elements—dance, drumming, and chant—activate the mask’s spiritual potency; its aesthetic qualities are inseparable from movement and sound. Stylistically, Kulango masks may show affinities with neighboring Akan and Senufo carving traditions, yet they retain a distinctive sobriety of expression and emphasis on balanced proportion. Rather than naturalistic portraiture, the sculptural intent privileges idealized features that communicate composure, authority, and spiritual containment. CAB34411