Dan Deangle Mask
Tribe: Dan
Country: Ivory Coast/Liberia
Material: Wood, Cloth, Metal, Raffia, Cowrie Shells
Size: 14" (35.5 cm)
Known as Takangle, these Dan masqueraders specialize in singing. In their function as singer masks (gle sö) they support the "great mask" (go ge) and give expression to the authority of the influential Go society. Great masks act as judges and justices of the peace.
On the other hand, this type of mask is also associated with the circumcicion camps for adolescent boys. Called deangle, or guard masks, they serve as mediators between the camp and the village.
The Dan people who are also known by the name Yucaba, live in the western part of the Cote d' Ivoire and into Liberia. They number about 350,000 and make their living farming cocoa, rice and manioc. The Dan villages used to be autonomous, governed by a chief chosen from within their ranks, based on his wealth and social standing, however, unifying secret societies were set up and play a very influential part in the daily life of the Dan.
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