Baule Kpan Pre Mask for Adolescent Females

In a festival to honor women, men dance with these masks in a feminine, graceful manner with elegant steps that celebrates the beauty and power of women. It is used amongst four pairs of masks representing different stages of a female's place within the community. The Kpan Pre mask honors the time in a girl's life when she is ready to start a family. This is a very exceptional and revered position in the familial hierarchy.

Each mask is known as a portrait and it represents a specific individual. This lovely mask is wooden and worn smooth. It is 13 inches long and 8 inches across. It displays the characteristic semi-closed downcast eyes and pursed mouth that indicates the reserve that a mature woman will aspire to. Handmade in Ivory Coast.