52 - Ivory Coast, Senufo culture, Korhogo region

Ivory Coast, Senufo culture, Korhogo region Kpelié mask, late 19th–early 20th century. Carved wood with a dark brown, partially glossy patina; the face is covered with scarification marks and topped with stylized horns. H. 33 cm. Provenance: > French private collection Condition report: Mounted on a base, traces of hollowing, lateral holes for attaching the costume or fastening system The Senufo occupy a cultural area located mainly in northern Ivory Coast, extending into Mali and Burkina Faso. The kpélié mask is traditionally associated with the Poro, a male initiatory society that plays a central role in several Senufo communities. These masks could be used in funeral ceremonies, in initiation contexts, and in performances honoring deceased members or elders. The term kpeliye’e is sometimes understood as the “face of the leaping dancer,” highlighting the mask’s performative dimension. These masks were worn by men, embodying values of beauty, restraint, fertility, balance, and mediation with the ancestors.