BWA HAWK MASK 11, Burkina Faso

Despite its appearance, this mask shows little evidence of age or use and was probably made to be sold.

There are some areas of damage, with details below.  There is a repaired area on the top front, a stable crack on the right end and a flaw in the wood and stains on the back.

These wide headdresses transformed the dancer into a supernatural being. They were used by the Do society at dances to promote fertility of the fields and at funerals of Do members. The geometric designs all have meanings. The checkerboard pattern symbolizes the separation of light from dark, good from evil, and female from male.