This is a wonderful large carved wooden headdress/ mask from the Bidjogo peoples of Guinea Bissau west Africa , who hold initiation rituals for young girls and boys, according to their age group. These initiation processes are called Manratche. The Young initiates wear makes use of a number of zoomorphic masks during the 'coming-of-age' Manratche ceremonies. As boys and girls age and progress toward full maturity, they wear more elaborate masks, mimicking the ferocity of the animals their masks represent, typically a Bush cow, or sacred bull. This mask is carved wood with elaborate design, rattan stitching and real Bull horns. The mask measures 29 x 19 inches.

Fair, well worn