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Guro Mask

Guro Mask

In Guro culture, distinctions are made between masquerades that are the focus of cults and those that are more secular in nature. A sequence of three sacred masks centers around Zamble, a mythical male being whose form fuses antelope and leopard features. He is in turn complemented by his beautiful wife, Gu, and his wild, grotesque brother, Zuali. Such representations are owned by certain families that use them as the loci of sacrificial offerings proposed by diviners to improve their well-being. In contrast, other Guro mask forms, which serve only as sources of entertainment, are designed by individual performers - Met Museum.

This Giro mask has two curvacious antelope horns protruding out of the top with gemotric carvings. Below the horns are scarficiation bumps along the forehead. Red pigment is used to highlight the eyes. The mouth of the mask is slighly slit open with protruding teeth that resemble a stylized leopard.


Late 19th Century.

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