Guro Mask - African Art

Description

Guro Mask
The horns on a Guro Mask represent spiritual power and can hold magic potions or medicines to protect human lives. With some masks human features are combined with the powerful hornbill or yangaleya bird and on other a combination of human and animal traits can be found, including the hornbill or even imaginary beasts.
The masks of the Guro represents the spirit of Gu, the wife of Zamble a supernatural being. Gu is often depicted as elegant, graceful, serene and beautiful. Sacred Guro masks, delicately crafted and colorful are used and honored during sacrificial gatherings, funerals, and celebrations.
The Guro and Yaure are closely related and some scholars think that these two groups inspired the art of the Baule. The Guro are from the Ivory Coast – West Africa.