BWA Plank Mask

A massive towering plank mask (1st half 20th C., 215 cm) from the Bwa of Burkina Faso — a large crescent moon top, a long vertical board of geometric patterns, and a lower face with target-like concentric eyes and a hooked beak.

1. The Spirit of the Wild (Su)

The Bwa do not use masks to represent human ancestors; their masks represent Su — the raw, formless spirits of nature (water, wind, bush animals) that the founding ancestors encountered and formed pacts with.

• The Butterfly/Owl: The concentric circles at the bottom often represent an owl or butterfly, creatures associated with water and the transition of the seasons. The hooked beak may represent a hornbill.
• The Crescent Moon: The massive crescent at the top links the mask's power to lunar cycles, governing agricultural timing and nocturnal spiritual activity.

2. Cosmic Geometry

The board is covered in black, white, and red geometric patterns. These are not mere decorations — they are a pedagogical language.

• Checkerboards & Zigzags: The dark and light triangles represent the dichotomy of knowledge and ignorance; zigzags represent the "Path of the Ancestors" that young initiates must follow.

3. Kinetic Spectacle

At an incredible 215 cm (over 7 feet) tall, this mask demands immense athletic prowess. The performer bites down on a thick rope fastened to the back of the mask to hold it, violently spinning and tipping the massive plank toward the earth to simulate the unpredictable movements of the bush spirits.

Summary

This Bwa plank mask is a towering wooden billboard of moral and cosmic instruction. It translates the chaotic forces of the Voltaic wilderness into a highly structured, geometric masterpiece designed to awe and educate the village.