Satimbe Mask
The Satimbe mask is a mask danced in the Dogon culture to represent women ancestors, an elder or grandmother figure. Dogon masks are box-shaped, and a figure is placed on top of the mask, which represents the woman. Representations of the woman can be anywhere from what her role is in the community, what she wishes to be, her strengths, her weaknesses and so on. The masks appear at funerals to usher the spirits of the dead from the village to the bush where they belong, thus restoring the order of the world.[1] The Satimbe mask is made from wood, fiber and a pigment costume.
[1] African-American Institute, and Roslyn Walker. African Women/African Art: An Exhibition Illustrating the Different Roles of Women in African Society. New York City: The Institute, 1976.