Yohouré mask. Piece over 50 years old. Delivered on base.
The Yaouré are divided into three main groups, each bringing together around twenty villages. Each village is led by a chief, assisted by a council of elders. The Yaouré language, religion, culture and art are influenced by their powerful neighbors the Baoulé and the Gouro. However, they have a great sense of identity and have created a characteristic and refined art. Among the Yohouré or Yaouré, African masks are used to influence the supernatural forces 'YU' responsible for the ills of men but also for their prosperity. Masks in this ethnic group are forbidden to women, they are danced most often to restore the social and political imbalance that death can cause. The Yohourés influenced the Baoulés regarding the aesthetics of the masks and were themselves influenced by the Gouro style. On this mask the nose and hair are reminiscent of the Gu masks of the Gouro. The hair is arranged in three very elaborate semi-circles: this is the Yohouré sign of power and wealth*. The masks of this ethnic group exude a serenity, a gentleness which is due to relatively mild living conditions (climate and agriculture favored by the wooded lagoon region which they occupy). Yohouré masks are often surrounded by a characteristic serrated border which structures the mask and underlines the general harmony of the shapes.