We (Gere, Guere, Guere Wobe, Wee), Liberia and Côte dIvoire
Bugle
face mask. The
We live in the southwest of the forested Côte dIvoire and the southeast of Liberia.
They are in fact two separate tribes the
Guere (also known as Ngere) and the Wobe although they share numerous customs and
beliefs. As symbols of societal beliefs and values, their masks reinforce respect for the
rules and functioning of society. The most striking feature of the We masks is often a
combination of diverse materials that lends these masks tremendous expressive force. This
mask represents a forest spirit. Formerly, bugle masks carried out important social
control functions, including judicial decisions, law enforcement, criminal punishment,
fine collection, and dispute settlement. Their aggressive, lively performance was intended
to instruct in proper behavior, although in recent decades this punitive power has
declined.
Material:
wood
Size:
H. 10, W. 7, D. 4½