Africa, the South Pacific, and the Americas

hyena face mask for awa society
hyena face mask for awa society
Culture or people Dogon people
Creation date 1920-1950
Materials wood, pigment
Dimensions 15 3/4 x 9 1/4 x 9 1/2 in.
Credit line Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Eiteljorg
Accession number 1989.194
Gallery Label

Dogon maskers are an important part of funeral ceremonies.  They serve to protect the community by driving away the potentially dangerous souls of the dead into the world of ancestor spirits.  Maskers generally impersonate supernatural beings such as the hyena, which is depicted in this carving by its bulging forehead, prominent snout and spots.  The hyena is associated with the hyena-man-monster, believed to prey on humans at night.


Descriptive tags added by visitors:

animal, Dogo, Dogom, Dogon, ears, face, Habbé, Habe, hyena, Kaddo, Kado, Kibisi, mask, monkey, Sudan, Tombo, Western Africa, wood
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Efroymson_Entrance_Pavilion_D.jpgEfroymson Family Entrance Pavilion