Bwa Butterfly Bird

Representing a nature spirit among the Bwa tribe of Burkina Faso, this elegant mask takes the shape of a butterfly. However, art historian Christopher D. Roy reports that elders of the Kambi clan in Dossi refer to these long-nosed butterfly masks as hawks or vultures. 'This mask is used by males of the Bwa tribe during the harvesting of grains,' says master wood carver Salihu Ibrahim. The red color comes from stones, ground and mixed with glue. Clay gives it yellow shading, and the black accents are created with charcoal. A loop on the back of the mask allows it to be easily displayed on a wall.