Of all the African masks, those of the Dan people are the most distinguishable and highly sought after, with their minimal but expressively carved features, smooth modulations of the facial planes, and elegant polished black or dark brown surfaces. African art collectors adore the gaunt faces on Dan’s masks, which are typically made of hardwood, cloth, and cowrie shell accents.
The Dan people have inhabited the regions of the Ivory Coast and Liberia since the 8th century BC. Because they lacked a cohesive central government, identity as Dan was fostered by a shared language and mixed marriages within that language group. Much of its history has been rooted in wars and battles with neighboring tribes, as well as each other at times. This led to the Dan warriors developing a somewhat fierce reputation.
The people of Dan classify the surroundings into two kingdoms: the village with all its inhabitants (human kingdom) and the forest (spirit kingdom) 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 protected by the “to go “ master, the head of the secret leopard 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 thin, slanted eyes, a long forehead, a thin nose, a slightly open mouth, and a smooth patina finish. The glossy patina of wood is typically created with plant extracts that give the appearance of a lacquer finish. They are known for their calm and abstract beauty, and during ceremonies, the artist dances gracefully and harmlessly. Dan’s feminine mask is an idealized form of beauty and grace.
The masks are made and worn exclusively by male dancers. They represent a much more realistic shape, like larger lips. Traditionally, the main function of male masks was to spiritually prepare men for war. Dan’s people believe that the acting dancer is transformed into a spirit. The masked dancer will speak in the language of spirits that is often unintelligible. A sage 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 who act between the village and the forest initiation camp, they can act against forest fires during the dry season, used in pre-war ceremonies to make peace or for entertainment. Over time, many of them have lost their original function and been recycled in entertainment-related contexts, emerging only for festivals or events organized for visitors or tourists.