TITLE: Mossi Sukomse Mask
TYPE: crest mask
GENERAL REGION: Africa
COUNTRY: Burkina Faso
ETHNICITY: Mossi
DESCRIPTION: Sukomse Wan-Nyaka crest mask
CATALOG ID: N/A
MAKER: N/A
CEREMONY: Sukomse Dance
FUNCTION: Adult Initiation; Funeral; Spirit Invocation; Secret Society
AGE: N/A
MAIN MATERIAL: wood
OTHER MATERIALS: kaolin; pigment
The Mossi people living in the southwestern part of Burkina Faso use the sukomse crest mask in adult initiation rituals for boys and at the funerals of important tribe members. The mask invokes a bush spirit with characteristics of multiple animals, including the antelope and bird, with the head and remainder of the body covered by a dark vegetable fiber suit. The Sukomse Society organizes these dances, which are maintained in the strictest secrecy.
The Museum currently has no sukomse mask in its collection.
