African Fine Arts - AFRICAN-ART

Dan Mask # 1 - Ivory Coast
This racer mask is worn by a runner who chases an unmasked, barefoot and bare-chested runner. The race ends more or less at its starting point, in the victory either of the pursuer - if he has been able to seize the adversary by the nape of the neck - or of the unmasked runner, who will then put on his own mask and costume and match himself against an unmasked runner from the first team. There may be a dozen contestants divided into two teams. The runner who carries off the most victories is acclaimed by the spectators. The winner of several victories may even be given a wife as a reward from the village chief. Chases of this sort would give elders the opportunity to judge the warrior qualities of the young men.