Côte d’Ivoire Helmet Mask Tote

$15.00 at Art Institute of Chicago.

Tote developed from Senufo: Senambele, Côte d’Ivoire, Helmet Mask (Kponyungo), 19th to early 20th century, from The Art Institute of Chicago’s collection. Among the Senufo, poro is the generic name for age-grade associations whose functions include interceding with supernatural forces, honoring ancestors, and educating young people. The many elements of composite horizontal masks called kponyungo portray powerful spirits that escort the deceased to the other world and protect the community from supernatural…