Dan Masks

Masks are the most important art form of the Dan people of Liberia. The Dan people refer to these masks as ''gle ''or'' ge'', terms that refers both to the physical mask and the individual spirits the mask is believed to embody during masquerade performances.

''Gle''

Scholars use the terms ''ge ''and ''gle ''interchangeably to refer both to Dan masks and to invisible, supernatural spirit forces that live in the forest but esteem to enter the civilized world of the village. The only way they can do this, the Dan believe, is through masquerade.

In order for a ''gle'' to be embodied during a masquerade, an initiated member of a Dan men's society must have a dream that reveals the exact nature of the ''gle'', its intended function, and the masquerade through which the ''gle ''would manifest. The council of elders, once they are told of the dream, decides whether the masquerade ensemble should be created for that man to wear and perform.

The wooden ''gle ''is accompanied by a full-body costume constructed of raffia, feathers and fur. It is believed that each ''gle'' has its own personality, preferences, dance and speech patterns and is given a personal name. The wearer of the mask takes on all of these qualities during the masquerade. Having come from the dark, mysterious realm of the forest, a ''gle'' is believed to be unpredictable. Therefore, an attendant always accompanies the ''gle'' masquerader to control it and interpret its speech.

''Dean gle'' and ''Bu gle'' masks

''Gle'' can be divided into two categories: that of ''dean gle'', which is a gentle, peaceful ''gle'' without a gender, but whose qualities are thought of as feminine and that of ''bu gle'', which is the war ''gle'' named after the sound of a gunshot, whose qualities are thought of as masculine.

The ''dean gle'' mask represents an idealized version of Dan beauty. It is characterized by narrow eyes, an oval shape, a smooth forehead, and a mouth slightly open to expose teeth. ''Dean gle'''s functions are to teach, entertain and nurture.

''Bugle'' masks are designed to frighten. Their eyes are depicted as protruding tubes and the surface of the face has boldly projecting angles. The most powerful ''bugle'' masks are decorated with animal and human deposits such a bone and fur.

''Ma go'', personal miniature masks

Similar to ''gle'' masks, miniature masks are carved to embody ''du'' tutelary spirits, but their main function is the protection of their owner from harm. These masks may also be used in divination and as sacred objects upon which to swear an oath - thus man go are treated like other sacred objects and are fed with ritual offerings and kept hidden from public display.

In some cases, an owner of a full-sized mask may carry a miniature version of the large mask to serve as a ''ma go''.

Mask classifications

Vandenhoute distinguished two large groups of masks: the ''gebande'' and the ''genome''. ''Gebande'' is the most sacred examples of Dan masks while ''Genome'' is a lower rank of masks. The classifications relate to the content which the Dan attribute to the mask, rather than the appearance of the mask.

''Gebande'' masks can be divided into a series of subgroups and categories:

Subgroups:
* Singers’ masks
* Dancers’ masks
* Storytellers’ masks
* Beggars’ masks (their primary job is the collecting of offerings for ancestors)

Categories:
* ''Gore'' or ancestor masks (the most sacred of masks)
* ''Gesuya'' or avenger masks (stands up to the Go master and the ancestors)
* Miniature masks (substitutes for Goge or Gesuya masks)
* ''Sagbwe'' masks (runners’ mask or fire watchers’ mask)

''Gle ''performance

Daniel B. Reed calls music the "fuel" that drives ''gle ''performance. Reed writes, "Performers use music to attract the spiritual power that enables them to solve sorcery conflicts and heal, manifesting Dan spiritual powers in collaboration with the Ivorian judiciary to combat socially destructive spiritual behaviors."

Contemporary ''gle ''performances incorporate elements of popular culture. For example, ''gle ''may reference technology, mention Jesus or Allah, incorporate mass-mediated popular music and sing or speak in many languages.

Before a ''gle ''can perform, his performance must first be approved be the proper authorities - those affiliated with the "sacred house" of a particular ''gle''. A person or group of people may hire a ''gle'', but in order to do so they must also present their reasons why, as well as where, when and how the ''gle ''will perform, to these same authorities. The process that the authorities undergo to determine whether the gle can perform is shrouded in secrecy, but essentially the authories consult a powerful spirit, called the ''yinan'', by "throwing" kola nuts, a process used in divination. If the answer is "yes" to the question of whether the ''gle ''can perform, then the cost of the performance is assessed and the performance planning begins.

There are a series of rules that must be followed in order for the ''gle ''to manifest. Many of these concern women, who are forbidden from seeing certain ''genu ''(pl. ''gle'').

References

{{Reflist

Ethnic groups in Liberia
Ethnic groups in Ivory Coast
Masks in Africa
Dan people