Goli Mask / Goli Glen, Baoulé, Cote D'Ivoire

Goli Mask "Goli Glen', Baoulé People, Cote D'Ivoire. Filmed and edited by Tim Harrison, January 2024 (All Rights Reserved) The Goli Mask was adopted by the Baoulé between 1900 and 1910, perhaps in response to the disruption caused by European colonialism, but is in fact much older, having originated among the Wan people. The Baoulé. themselves emigrated from the Ashanti Empire (present day Ghana) around 1750, under the leadership of Princess Abla Pouke, and absorbed several indigenous peoples. Today it is the dominant traditional dance form in the Baoulé region around Boake in Cote D'Ivoire. The masks come from the Sacred Forests, and have complex symbolism. At each stage, one mask is "male" and another "female", although the differences between them are subtle, as they represent aspects of one individual. Each mask is also conceived of as having male and female aspects. The masks themselves are large, painted wooden masks and do not represent a single, identifiable animal. The mask is composed of elements from different animals and represents a spirit from the sacred forest. It is worn with an a costume of woven green palm fronds that emphasise the association with nature. Apart from the wooden mask and the buckskin cape the rest of the costume, that entirely covers the wearer, can not be stored / preserved: Baoulé men always make them just before they are used, and this seems to be part of the meaning of the performance.