Dan Zakpai Mask, Côte d'Ivoire #130

Dan Zakpai Mask, Côte d'Ivoire #130Dan Zakpai Mask, Cte d'Ivoire #130 Superb Dan ZakpeI mask, from the western part of Cote d'Ivoire, border with Liberia. The Zakpai Mask is translated to mean the Fire Prevention Masquerade. Zakpai Masks appears during the Dry Season, and their function is to ensure that Women extinguish cooking fires after use to prevent afternoon winds spreading fire through the Village and Bush. Such Masks were typically used during annual Races to practice and

• Dan Zakpai Mask, Côte d'Ivoire #130
• Superb Dan ZakpeI mask, from the western part of Cote d'Ivoire, border with Liberia.
• The Zakpai Mask is translated to mean the ‘Fire Prevention Masquerade’. 
• Zakpai Masks appears during the Dry Season, and their function is to ensure that Women extinguish cooking fires after use to prevent afternoon winds spreading fire through the Village and Bush. Such Masks were typically used during annual Races to practice and ensure Rapid Field Fire Notification between Villages.
• The shape of the mask is purely Dan, with a calm and serene expression.
  
• Material : Wood, metal and metal plates, cow hide, felt, natural fibers.
• Measurements:  22×13×7 cm (total height with the beard : 24 cm); 9.4" approx.
• References: RAND AFRICAN ART: Dan - masks<br>Bibliography: THE ARTS OF THE DAN IN WEST AFRICA: Eberhard Fischer &amp; Hans Himmelheber and AFRICAN ART IN MOTION: ICON AND ACT IN THE COLLECTION OF KATHERINE CORYTON WHITE: Robert Farris Thompson