This Baule mask is known as an ndoma nda mblo mask. Mblo is the performance in which the mask is danced, ndoma means that the mask is a portrait mask, made for a particular person, and nda means that the mask portrays twins. This piece measures 9 inches tall and weighs 2 pounds. There are some scrapes, scuffs and imperfections – please inspect photos. Stand is not included.
Baule Ndoma Nda Mblo African Mask 9″ – Ivory Coast – Tribal Art
Original price was: $150.00.$75.00Current price is: $75.00.
1 in stock
Type of Object | Face Mask |
---|---|
Country of Origin | Ivory Coast |
Ethnicity | Baule |
Material | Wood, Pigment |
Approximate Age | Unknown |
Height | 9'' |
Width | 6" |
Depth | 4" |
Weight | 2 lbs |
Overall Condition | fair with minor imperfections – see photos |
Tribe Information
About the Baule People
The Baule are originally part of a breakaway group of the Akan people from Ghana. In the 17th century, Queen Abla Pokou led a group on an exodus away from the main Ashanti Confederacy after a war broke out due to disagreements among the factions. Pokou realized that she and her followers may be in harms way, so she took her people and headed westward. Legend says the group came upon the Comoé River, with its dangerous waters and needed a way to safely cross. With the enemy gaining on them, Queen Pokou asked a diviner for advice. The diviner, after much thought, told her the gods required a sacrifice. Everyone began throwing their most prized possessions into the river; gold, ivory, cattle, everything they owned, hoping to appease the gods. The diviner shook his head and said that our sons are our most prized possessions. Pokou, knowing that her duty as queen was more important than that of a mother, decided then to sacrifice her only son, throwing him into the water and calling out “Ba ouli”, translated to “the child is dead”, giving them the name Baule. After the sacrifice was made, hippopotamuses came up from the river and formed a bridge allowing the queen and her people to cross.
The Baule settled in what is now known as Côte d’Ivoire or Ivory Coast. They began defeating current inhabitants of the area and quickly became the middle man post for North and South trading routes. Towns and villages sprouted up with each being independent from one another, making their own decisions with the primacy of a council of elders. Smaller communities were usually governed by a village-chief whereas large villages were ruled by a king or queen. Considered an egalitarian society, everyone is equal and has a say in the overall agenda of the people, including slaves...
Read more about the Baule here.
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Additional Information
About the Ndoma Nda Mask
The Ndoma Mask, also known as a portrait mask, is created to be a portrait of a real person, however, it may not look like the actual person since it is an idealized version. Only a person of high status and prestige would be honored with such a mask. The mask would be inducted by a group of individuals who admire the subject. They would then pay the sculptor to create it and parade the mask and honoree around the village. The majority of these masks will be depicted with arched eyebrows over a straight nose and oval face. Since these masks are made for a specific person, no two are alike.
When the mask portrays twins (Nda), usally a male (black) and female (red), it is said that they are ascribed supernatural powers and are a symbol of the marriage between the moon and the sun.
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