Ox Mask (Dugn'be)
20th century
Bijagó
Arts of Africa
Masks representing dugn’be, meaning “the ox raised in the village,” are used in young men’s initiation ceremonies in the Bijagós Islands, on the Atlantic coast of Guinea-Bissau. The cord that runs through the nostrils of this mask shows that the initiate is like a tethered ox. His strengths, like those of the ox, must be both encouraged and controlled.
- Maker/Artist
- Bijagó
- Classification
- Sculpture
- Formatted Medium
- Wood, raffia, bone, glass, metal, fur, paint, fiber
- Locations
- Place made: Bijagós Islands, Guinea-Bissau
- Dimensions
- 15 1/2 x 19 x 9in. (39.4 x 48.3 x 22.9cm)
- Departments
- Arts of Africa
- Accession Number
- 1992.69.3
- Credit Line
- Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Gerofsky
- Exhibitions
- African Innovations, Double Take: African Innovations, Realm of Marvels: Building Collections for the Future
- Rights Statement
- Creative Commons-BY
- Museum Location
- This item is not on view
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