Man of Fire

This imposing mask depicts a blazing fire on the forehead. Carved by hand from African African rubberwood, it is representative of the people of Dormaa Ahenkro in the Brong Ahafo region of Ghana. Abdul Aziz Mohamadu names the mask Ogya, an Akan word meaning 'Fire.' It is used by men during the Kwafie festival, a purification rite. 'It is believed that the Dormaas brought fire to Ghana and this legend is symbolically represented in a bonfire set during the Kwafie festival,' the artisan explains. The white accents are achieved with applications of clay.