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Dogon monkey mask
wood
9" tall x 6.5wide
Currently being offered on eBay
There are nearly eighty styles of Dogon masks, and for the most part they all utilize the use of various geometric shapes in their design,
independent of the various animals they are supposed to represent. Most masks have large geometric eyes and stylized features and are often
painted or colored with various substances. The Dogon continue an ancient masquerading tradition called "Dama" which commemorates the
origin of death. Dama memorial ceremonies are held to accompany the dead into the ancestral realm and restore order to the universe. In these
ceremonies there are a large number of performers, often a few hundred, and it is considered absolutely necessary to the ceremony. In the
case of the dama, the timing, types of masks involved, and other ritual elements are often specific to one or two villages and may not resemble
those seen in locations only several miles distant. The masks also appear during baga-bundo rites performed by small numbers of
masqueraders before the burial of a male Dogon.
The better known Kanaga and sirige masks are followed in the dama ceremony by masks that evoke the behavior of some of the animals that
inhabit the regions where the Dogon live and hunt.
They include among others - antelopes, hares, lions, hyenas, cows, birds and monkeys.
According to Dogon beliefs, the monkey represents wild, uncivilized, dangerous, and antisocial behavior – the direct opposite of their beliefs
about the way a proper, solid, upstanding Dogon person is expected to behave. The Dogon utilize three types of monkey masks which are
identified solely by their color rather than their shape. For the Dogon, Dege is the black monkey, while the white monkey is known as Omono,
and the red monkey is called Ko.
The myths of all may not be known, but it has been written in that the black monkeys, Dege, are the "male villains of the bush." The black
monkeys stand for wickedness, gluttony and must not be emulated because it is the antithesis of the Dogon order (Sieber & Walker 1987, p.
134).
I have always liked the Dogon animal masks, and the monkey and rabbit masks have always been my favorite.
This particular mask stood out to me and I thought it was in good style and it has a nice presence to it. The mask appears to have some age to
it, but as far as exactly how old it is I am not sure. I believe it was carved by a Dogon carver, but most likely has never seen any real use.
Reference sources: The Dance, Art and Ritual of Africa - by Michel Huet
wood
9" tall x 6.5wide
Currently being offered on eBay
There are nearly eighty styles of Dogon masks, and for the most part they all utilize the use of various geometric shapes in their design,
independent of the various animals they are supposed to represent. Most masks have large geometric eyes and stylized features and are often
painted or colored with various substances. The Dogon continue an ancient masquerading tradition called "Dama" which commemorates the
origin of death. Dama memorial ceremonies are held to accompany the dead into the ancestral realm and restore order to the universe. In these
ceremonies there are a large number of performers, often a few hundred, and it is considered absolutely necessary to the ceremony. In the
case of the dama, the timing, types of masks involved, and other ritual elements are often specific to one or two villages and may not resemble
those seen in locations only several miles distant. The masks also appear during baga-bundo rites performed by small numbers of
masqueraders before the burial of a male Dogon.
The better known Kanaga and sirige masks are followed in the dama ceremony by masks that evoke the behavior of some of the animals that
inhabit the regions where the Dogon live and hunt.
They include among others - antelopes, hares, lions, hyenas, cows, birds and monkeys.
According to Dogon beliefs, the monkey represents wild, uncivilized, dangerous, and antisocial behavior – the direct opposite of their beliefs
about the way a proper, solid, upstanding Dogon person is expected to behave. The Dogon utilize three types of monkey masks which are
identified solely by their color rather than their shape. For the Dogon, Dege is the black monkey, while the white monkey is known as Omono,
and the red monkey is called Ko.
The myths of all may not be known, but it has been written in that the black monkeys, Dege, are the "male villains of the bush." The black
monkeys stand for wickedness, gluttony and must not be emulated because it is the antithesis of the Dogon order (Sieber & Walker 1987, p.
134).
I have always liked the Dogon animal masks, and the monkey and rabbit masks have always been my favorite.
This particular mask stood out to me and I thought it was in good style and it has a nice presence to it. The mask appears to have some age to
it, but as far as exactly how old it is I am not sure. I believe it was carved by a Dogon carver, but most likely has never seen any real use.
Reference sources: The Dance, Art and Ritual of Africa - by Michel Huet
