MBLO (Portrait Mask) Guiding Questions

  • What African village held secular masquerades in which this mask was used earlier in the 20th Century?

  • What does the person who performs this mask wear when they perform?

  • Who accompanies the performer as they dance for their audience?

  • What do the villagers of Kami refer to the parodies / dances in which the Mblo is used?

  • How were masks like this one kept / stored when not in use?

  • When did this masquerade tradition stop?

  • According to scholar Susan Vogel, what would participating in / enjoying the Gbagba allow for the residents of Kami?

  • Who are the people shown in the black and white (contextual) photograph with this Mblo mask? What is their relationship to one another and to the mask?

  • Who originally commissioned this mask? This means, who requested for this to made paid for it?

  • What was Moya Yanso’s main talent that was celebrated via this mask and the Gbagba it was used in?

  • During the Gbagba performances, what would Moya Yanso do, as long as she was able?

  • Be able to describe the VISUAL CHARACTERISTICS of this portrait mask.

  • What visual features of the mask suggest MODESTY and WISDOM?

  • What visual features of the mask suggest AGE?

  • What visual features of the mask suggest HEALTH?

  • In the Baule society, who would always PERFORM, MAKE, and COMMISSION masks?