GURO, IVORY COAST

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The gye is one of the most important masks used by the Guro people of Côte d'Ivoire. Representing mythical animals, they often present a hybrid form that fuses characteristics of two or more creatures, frequently feline, ungulate, and human. Gye masks appear in a variety of important ritual and social contexts and hold the authority to adjudicate disputes, negotiate treaties, and make critical community decisions. Athletic dancers perform the gye masquerade in costumes of knotted fiber that conceal their entire bodies.

This mask shows a fierce expression with a gaping mouth, domed face with wide eyes, and a comb-like rack of horns set transversely atop the head in a kind of crest. Small, round ears are set back toward the edges of the head. The circular, staring eyes express intense energy and, together with the toothed jaws, which protrude from the lower face somewhat in the manner of a beak, conjure an impression of wild vitality.

PUBLICATION HISTORY

Bacquart (Jean-Baptiste), The Tribal Arts of Africa, London: Thames & Hudson, L'Art tribal d'Afrique Noire, Paris: Editions Assouline, 1998:40, #3