Face mask with rabbit features. Narrow vertical oval ears painted red with white interiors; protruding conical black eyes surrounded by concentric black rings with white pigment in-between; protruding open triangular mouth/snout, painted black, adorned with small incised triangles painted white and red. Oval perimeter of back of mask pierced with multiple holes to enable attachment of mask to dancer's head as well as attachment of fiber costume. This type of mask is worn by men during funeral or initiation ceremonies. Animal masks commemorate encounters that people have had with ancestors who appeared in the form of an animal.

Rabbit Mask (simbo)

Bwa people, Burkina Faso , Southern region, near Boni or Dossi, African

Late 19th or early 20th century

  • Titles Rabbit Mask (simbo) (Descriptive)
  • Medium wood with natural pigments, leather
  • Dimensions 13 3/4 × 5 1/2 × 5 in. (34.9 × 14 × 12.7 cm)
  • Credit Line Museum purchase with funds provided by Martha Pezrow and general acquisition funds, 2002.230
  • Work Type mask
  • Classification Costume
  • On View

See More of the Collection

Spherical, brown vessel with black fire clouds has columnar, slightly convex neck with everted rim; shoulder has row of raised spiky points.
Mwana po-maiden spirit
Wooden tubular pipe with inlaid bands of silver filament, and inlaid brass wire scrollwork
Female head with braid