Very beautiful fire mask made of wood, fabric and plant fibers, which comes from the Dan ethnic group of Ivory Coast

Height: 22 cm, width: 13 cm

The Dan Fire Mask

The red masks, among the Dan, are called "fire masks". Similar to the gunyeya masks (called running masks) in their shape, they are responsible for monitoring domestic fires lit by housewives in the courtyards of houses. Fires can be dangerous when the wind rises. They must be extinguished during the hot hours of the day, otherwise woe betide anyone who has not paid attention to the rules. The mask will appear, stick in hand to call her to order; her husband will be liable to a fine that will be collected by the head of the sacred house.

The fire mask can also lead rescue operations during a bush fire.

Dan Masks

The Dan have many masks that symbolize invisible supernatural powers, or spirit forces called glé, who usually live in the forest but intend to participate in the lives of humans for all significant events such as festivals and funerals.

Most have a concave face, a pointed chin, a protruding mouth, a high and rounded forehead; they are generally covered with a rich dark patina obtained by immersion in a mud bath.

Some masks, such as the bagle (called a "comedian" mask) are used by young people and are intended to provoke hilarity by their pantomimes while others, such as the kagle, amuse themselves by beating up the children who whirl around him; still others, which belong to old and wise men, are judges who ensure the maintenance of order, settle disputes, intervene in palavers or fight against spellcasters.

The Dan ethnic group

The Dan, also known as Yacuba (Yacouba), live in western Côte d'Ivoire and northeastern Liberia