Toma Mask
Artwork explanation
Toma tribe lives in the high-altitude rain forests. They have organized their political and religious life around the Poro association.
This society was, among other things, responsible for the initiation of young boys that took place in the forest, which is particularly dense in the land of Toma.
When called forth by the Landai (Landa), a large mask, the future initiates would leave “on retreat” for the forest for a month.
The top of the mask is surmounted by a headdress of feathers and the wearer looks through the snout. The largest known Landai mask is about 1.82 m in height.
The frightening image of the mask represented the major forest spirit which made manifest the power of Poro, one of its duties was to symbolically devour boys at the end of their initiation period in order to give them rebirth as men. Only men wore these masks, if they were fit over the wearer's head horizontally. Figures also exist and are kept within each household. They have facial feature similar to Landai masks.
Distinguishing features:
The Landai, a horizontal unusually free, abstract wooden mask, has the mouth of a crocodile on which human features have been sculpted: a straight nose underneath arched eyebrows.
Toma masks usually have a very small mouth or no mouth at all, thin and narrow nose and round and small eyes.
Artwork Description
Used during rejoicing or beauty ceremonies.
Exhibition history
Tehran Gallery
Cote d Ivoire
solo exhibition, 07 December - 27 December
Other works by Cote dIvoires Peoples
Cote dIvoires Peoples (b.19th)
Bonu Amuen mask , 1900
Signed, 1900 Carving on wood 36.5 x 15.5 x 16 cm
Cote dIvoires Peoples (b.19th)
Grand Kpelie Mask , 1900
Signed, 1900 Carving on wood 147 x 49 x 26 cm
Cote dIvoires Peoples
Toma Mask - 1900
Carving on wood 30 x 18 x 11.5 cm CoA no. 1812041551455
This artwork is unique
Available to purchase
