The artistry of Mossi culture in Burkina Faso is depicted through a female mask.

Funerals in West Africa, particularly in the Mossi communities of Burkina Faso, are significant cultural events where music, dance, and mask performances honor the deceased, particularly revered elders. A wooden mask featuring a female figure is often displayed, representing women of esteemed status and their connection to ancestral spirits.

The mask’s design, with its oval shape and central ridge, points to its Yatenga origins and shares stylistic elements with those of the Dogon people in Mali. This connection dates back five centuries to the establishment of the Mossi states, which saw some Dogon integrate into Mossi society and others migrate to the Bandiagara cliffs.

The Metropolitan Museum of Art, located in New York City, houses a 5,000-year art collection, showcasing global perspectives and transcending cultural boundaries through its exhibits and events.

Source: Met Museum