A Guro Mask collected in the Oumé region, Ivory Coast. Signs of ritual use and age. Incl stand. "The Guro tribe or Gouro tribe as they are sometimes pronounced are Guro Mask very spiritual people and their masks are all representations of their way of live and spiritual way of life. This Guro mask and many of the other masks are representations of the spirit of Gu, the wife of Zamble, a supernatural being. Each mask is similar but not identical with horns that represent the spiritual power and is believed by the tribe to have magic powers to protect the human way of life of the owner and the tribe. The Guro mask is very unique and has a combination of human and animal traits and imaginary beasts. Birds of different kinds can often be seen carved into the mask such as the horn bill or other large billed birds. These masks were commonly used during the traditional ceremonies such as funerals, animal sacrifices and weddings, today the people of Ivory Coast honor their ancestors with traditional dance and the mask represents their loyalty to the past." Source: African Crafts Market Height: 30 cm without stand