Kanaga mask
The Dogon believe that the Dama dance creates a bridge into the supernatural world. Without the Dama dance, the dead cannot cross over into peace. Typical characteristic of this mask is the dual cross with short bars extending up across the top piece and down on the bottom piece. The top portion of the vertical bar sometimes bear an animal, human or abstract figure.
© Kieron Nelson 2000 "Vanishing Cultures Photography" All rights reserved
