Guro
Côte d'IvoireAntelope Mask (Zamble), n.d.
Not on view
Polychromed wood
Dimensions15 7/8 x 5 1/4 x 3 1/2 in.
Gift of Justice and Mrs. G. Mennen Williams, 1973.14
According to Guro legend a hunter discovered and captured the Zamble masks from the bush and was able to harness the magical powers they possess. In many African cultures it is thought that men and animals share the same spiritual energy, which can be attained through the power of rituals. The Zamble mask represents the ideal beauty and strength of young Guro men, characterized by the grace and agility of the antelope and the powerful force of a leopard’s jaw.
