Ndoma Portrait Mask - Baoulé Culture, Ivory Coast - First Half Of The 20th Century

PORTRAIT MASK Ndoma
Baoulé culture, Ivory Coast
First half of the 20th century
Wood and upholstery nails
H.: 32.5 cm; W.: 16 cm
(restorations)

This portrait mask, called Ndoma, is oval in shape and carved with a thin beard-collar on the lower part, cut into short triangles. Its almond-shaped eyes are horizontally openwork and enhanced by crescent-shaped brow ridges, extending into a tapered nasal bridge. Its mouth is outlined by two thin lips above a short cylindrical goatee.
Its headdress rises in three curved horns entirely incised with geometric patterns – patterns also found on its forehead. The facial scarifications of the portrait mask are embellished with upholstery nails.

These masks were strictly individual. They were danced during Gbagba ceremonies, also known as Mblo. They embodied the moral qualities of the person portrayed. They also bore their name.
When the portrait mask danced during these ceremonies, the person represented had to be present.

Text and photos © FCP CORIDON