SÉNOUFO, Republic of Côte d'Ivoire - Lot 162

SÉNOUFO, Republic of Côte d'Ivoire Kpeliyé'e mask Mask used during the second period of initiation into the Poro cult. This mask features an anthropo-zoomorphic face personifying several savannah animals. The center of the forehead is adorned with a chameleon, a symbol of transformation and adaptability in Senoufo culture. Bronze or brass with the patina of time and use H. 29.5 X 15 cm The Kpeliyé'e mask plays an essential role in initiation rites linked to the Poro cult, a central institution in the social and spiritual organization of the Sénoufo people. Used during ceremonies, it embodies spiritual qualities and natural forces essential to the community. The chameleon, placed in the center of the forehead, symbolizes metamorphosis and the link between the human and spirit worlds. The mask's anthropo-zoomorphic elements recall the interconnection between human beings and nature, a fundamental notion in Senoufo beliefs. Expert: Serge REYNES