gägon (Mask)
About this object
History of use
Forces (dü), envisaged as omnipresent, invisible spirits, were the first owners of the land. Still, they long to manifest themselves in physical form to intervene in human affairs, sometimes sending dreams to direct the recipients to carve masks through which they are able to materialize. This gägon mask with the long beak and monkey fur beard, told the story of the hornbill who was the first human made by the creator, Zla. Now, most Dan masks are used for secular entertainment.
Physical description
Black wooden mask with long, angular, protruding nose--beginning immediately underneath the nose, a thick, cascading fringe of reddish-brown hair covers the lower portion of the mask.
Date Acquired
30 May 1989
How Acquired
Donated
Credit Line
Measurements
Overall: 27.2 cm x 12.7 cm x 19.8 cm
Object Number
1373/2