Overall: 87.6 x 50.8 x 31.1cm (34 1/2 x 20 x 12 1/4in.)
Type:
Mask
Geography:
Liberia
Guinea
Date:
Mid-late 20th century
Label Text:
The Poro society is a men's association that enforces moral rules and prepares boys for adulthood. A fearsome spirit, the Great Thing of Poro, assists the society in its teachings. In some regions, the presence of this spirit is known through its voice alone. In other areas, the spirit takes the form of a large wood mask with gaping toothy jaws and huge raffia fiber costume. The jaws drip red fruit juice as the spirit is said to eat boys and spit them out reborn as men.
Description:
Wood tripartite horizontal helmet mask in the form of an animal head with wide open jaw, notched teeth and ridged head.
Provenance:
Mrs. Lawrence Richmond, -- to 1978
Exhibition History:
Artful Animals, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., July 1, 2009-July 25, 2010
BIG/small, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., January 17-July 23, 2006
Thinking with Animals, African Images and Perceptions, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., March 24-September 7, 1982
Content Statement:
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