Komo Kun Mask - Bamana
This mask seen here known as Komo Kun or “Head of Komo” was created by the Bamana. Much like the Bamana’s Boli figure, this particular mask is spiritually activated by various spiritually charged materials such as sweat, blood, semen, fingernails, etc. Komo masters, komotigiw, cover a komo kun with mysterious materials to intimidate their audience and to refer to their secret knowledge of powerful substances.[1] Many various items are also embedded into the thick mask such as horns, grass, bones, leaves, and different animal parts. If the masker does everything correctly, he is given the power to see and stop evil.
[1] Monica Blackmun Visona, Robin Poynor, and Herbert M. Cole. A History of Art in Africa: Second Edition (New Jersey: Pearson, 2008), 121.
[1] Monica Blackmun Visona, Robin Poynor, and Herbert M. Cole. A History of Art in Africa: Second Edition (New Jersey: Pearson, 2008), 121.