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African Toma Tribe Carved Mask

Currency:USD Category:Everything Else / Other Start Price:550.00 USD Estimated At:1,100.00 - 1,700.00 USD
African Toma Tribe Carved Mask
Very large maske carved with geometric hat with horns, and protruding nose, painted in green and white orbs. Settled in the northwest of Liberia, western Sierra Leone, and eastern Guinea, the 200,000 Toma live in the high-altitude rain forest. They organized their political and religious life around the poro association. This society was, among other things, responsible for the initiation of young boys that took place in the forest, which is particularly dense in the land of the Toma. When called forth by the landai (landa), a large mask, the future initiates would leave “on retreat” for the forest for a month. 46.25" H x 12" W, chip to tip of right horn, wear consistent with age. Early 20th century.