Artes Africanae - Arte africana

Of particular importance are the miniature maa masks, often incorrectly labeled "passport" masks. The Toma/Loma were not the only population to produce these tiny masks. They were also widespread among the Mano, the Gio, the Grebo, the Kpelle, the Bassa, and other ethnic groups who observed the initiation rules of the Poro.

The maa masks, as a rule, belonged to high-ranking members of society and important figures within the Poro fellowship. They were rewarded as a pair, one first and the second later, to the young initiates who, due to their lineage or special virtues, would play an influential role in village life.

On reaching a certain point in the initiation process, some would be given consent to wear the dance masks which corresponded to the miniature masks in their possession.

For their whole lives, these selected initiates had the duty of vigilantly safeguarding their masks, regularly saying prayers and making offerings of food and drink towards them. At each new moon, following the sacrifice of chickens and other animals, the masks were thoroughly sprayed with blood and the juice from chewed cola nuts. Otherwise, they were washed with water containing chips of bark removed from the trunk of the gei tree with a sharp stone. Failure to follow these rituals would lead to grave consequences, as maa masks were laden with magical powers. They possessed vital protection factors against witchcraft and the evil eye, as well as intermediary and catalyst agents between the human dimension and the supernatural.

In the event of negligence, the masks would retaliate, acting against the owner himself as would a double-edged weapon.

Upon the death of the possessor the mask was either placed in his tomb, or handed down to a member of his clan who would then assume care for it, most often a son or a grandson. There was also the likelihood that the mask be returned to its sculptor, who, over the course of time could acquire a great number of them.

Such circumstances contributed to the dispersal of the maa masks. They were often sold to traders or western tourists who viewed them as mere strange and "exotic" curiosities, oblivious of the origins, rationale and deep mystical significance they possessed.

All the maa masks pictured on this page, (unless otherwise specified), were collected in the late 1970’s by E. Trombetta, and are now part of a private collection in Milan.

Note from the editor: With reference to African dance rituals, the term "mask" generally constitutes the wooden (or otherwise) mask, complete with its costumes and decorations.

We are therefore obliged to distinguish between "mask" and "costume", as in most cases it is the bare wooden mask alone to come into our possession. This is due to Occidental preference, which tends towards an appreciation of the sculpted piece, favouring solely the formal and “artistic” aspects of the mask.