Of all African masks, those of the Dan people are the most distinguishable and sought after, with their minimal yet expressively sculpted features, smooth modulations of the facial planes, and elegant polished black or dark brown surfaces. African art collectors love the corpse-stiff faces of Dan masks, which are typically made of hardwood, cloth, and cowrie shell accents.
The Dan people have inhabited the Ivory Coast and Liberia regions since the 8th century BC. Because they lacked a cohesive central government, identity as a dan was fostered by a shared language and intermarriage within that language group. Much of their history has been rooted in warfare and battles with neighboring tribes, as well as with each other on occasion. This led the Dan warriors to develop a somewhat fierce reputation.
The Dan people classify the surroundings into two realms: the village with all its inhabitants (human realm) and the forest (spirit realm) where spirits reign and wild animals roam freely. The forest is considered sacred, and crossing the boundary between the human realm and the spirit realm can only be done by saying a prayer and using materials from both worlds. This creates a link between the two kingdoms. Dan’s masks are guarded by the “Let’s go” master, the head of the leopard secret society who is responsible for the initiation rites of young men into adulthood.
Dan masks, as well as most African masks, are an integral part of social life, ceremonies and rituals. They are unique and were traditionally only carved by initiated members of the male Poro society. There are many different types of Dan masks, but most of them can be grouped into two main categories: the female mask and the male mask. Female masks are typically characterized by a pointed, oval face, and feature slanted, thin eyes, a long forehead, a thin nose, a slightly ajar mouth, and a smooth patina finish. The shiny patina of wood is usually created with plant extracts that give the appearance of a lacquer finish. They are known for their calm, abstract beauty, and during ceremonies, the artist dances gracefully and harmlessly. The female Dan mask is an idealized form of beauty and grace.
The masks are made and worn exclusively by male dancers. They are much more realistically shaped, like larger lips. Traditionally, the main function of male masks was to spiritually prepare men for war. The people of Dan believe that the dancer who performs is transformed into a spirit. The masked dancer will speak in the language of the spirits, which is often unintelligible. A wise man who accompanies the dancer during the ritual will translate the messages for the people.
There are a variety of Dan face masks, each of which has a different function. They can be the intermediaries that act between the village and the forest initiation camp, they can act against forest fires during the dry season, used in pre-war ceremonies for peace building or for entertainment. Over time, many of them have lost their original function and have been recycled in contexts related to entertainment, emerging solely for festivals or events organized for visitors or tourists.
