We people (Liberta and Western Cóte d' Ivoire)

Today, the masks (Dhi Gla) of the We are primarily created for entertainment but traditionally they belong to warrior societies formed by lineage groups. Their purpose was to provide supernatural protection from enemies and malevolent spirits of the forest or "bush." The shotgun shells on this mask are a foreign material and a particularly appropriate expression of the fierce defensive ability of a Gia mask. They supplement the more traditional materials and horn and tusk shapes referring to natural animal defenses. By identifying with European weapons the shotgun shells way also express the Gla spirit's ability to defend against a new source of danger.

Lowe Art Museum

Gift of Alan Potamkin, 2007. 48.89