Face Mask (Kanaga)
Dogon
1900–1966
- Medium
- Wood, pigment, and fiber
- Dimensions
- 105.4 × 55.9 × 19.7 cm (41 1/2 × 22 × 7 3/4 in.)
- Genre
- masks
- Museum
- Art Institute of Chicago
Styles
Tags
ritualancestorspainting (coating)dogonwoodceremonial maskfiberNorthern Africa and the Sahelmasksperformanceheaddress - miscwood (plant material)funeralsafrican Artarts of AfricatyingcarvingMalepigment
About
At a dama funeral, a towering plank mask known as sirige (an example of which is displayed nearby) appears after the performance of several cross-shaped kanaga masks. Admired for the vigorously sweeping movements of its dancer, kanaga is worn with a colorful costume that includes a plaited fiber hood and cowrie-shell-covered vest. It appears in groups that range from a few masks to as many as 70.
