Helmet Mask

19th-20th century; Senufo; Wood; height 96.5 cm (38 in.); Gift of Governor and Mrs. G. Mennen Williams; 66.485

The Senufo mask commonly known as "firespitter" is a composite representation created from a number of fearsome animals found in the wild. It combines the horns of an antelope, the jaws of a crocodile, the tusks of a warthog, and the figure of a chameleon to represent the "power of the bush."

Masks like this were used to frighten away negative forces that might disturb the productive life of an agricultural community. They were used in dances at night with burning coals and straw spewing from their mouths. This activity gave them their popular name, "firespitter."

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