Bwa Plank Mask
"Nwantantay," wood and fibers, 235 cm. Corice Canton Arman and Arman (Photo provided by Facing the Mask)
The Bwa people from Burkina Faso invented the Bwa Plank Mask. [1] These masks are made of wood and fibers and painted in black and white. [1] The Plank mask shown above has many geometric shapes applied to it; these are symbolic of scarification and these scarification are the representation of beauty. [1] Along with these geometric shapes, there is a cross placed within this mask which represents the crossroads between the natural world and spiritual world. [1] This obviously shows the importance of the spiritual world along with the natural in the Bwa community.
The Plank masks are seen to be a depiction of flying water spirits. [1] They are to embody the mystical forces of the other world. [1] The embodied spirits within this mask are to protect the Bwa people that wear this mask. [1] It’s dance to cleanse the people of negative forces such as diseases and other illnesses. [1] The main goal of this mask is to assure good health as long as the spirit within the mask is respected among the wearer and community.
1. Frank Herreman, Facing the Mask, (Munich: THe Museum of African Art and Prestel , 1996), 24-32,36.