Dogon Masks of Mali
February 19, 2013 § 1 Comment
“Hidden in the mysterious Bandiagara Cliffs of southern Mali, West Africa, live a people who claim to be the conduit between heaven and Earth: the people of the Dogon.º” Their ornate masks reflect the devastating beauty that surrounds them.
Dogon Masks – Photo Courtesy of Anthony Pappone
Carved and colorful, these pieces are used for tribal ritual. Each has a name and a designated pattern that represent animals, mythical beings, or other natural forms.
Dogon Sirige Mask – Photo Courtesy of National Geographic
The masks are typically comprised of wood, fibers, and paint. Other materials, such as feathers, seeds, quills, and bone, are sometimes incorporated.
Dogon Mask – Photo Courtesy of Native Line
“Dogon masks rank among the most respected within the world of tribal art collections and have influenced such Western 20th-century artists as Picasso and Braque, even the Cubist movement.°” The masks are truly are something to marvel at, as is how the Dogon have managed to preserve their culture against the changing world that surrounds them.
Jo2theworld 
Looks good Jo! Xo