Mask, Temne; Sierra Leone
Hammered brass, fiber, cowrie shells; H. 16"
The Temne people of northern Sierra
Leone create masks out of hammered brass that are
called Aron Arabai and are considered to
be the alter ego or spiritual double of the chief
of the village that they come from. Dr. Bill Hart,
commenting on their usage, has stated: "This
powerful mystique of chieftaincy is also fostered
by the institution of the ‘chiefship krifi,'
the masked spirit known as ‘Kärfi'
who appears in public wearing ‘Aron Arabai'"
(1986, 42). This rare mask, one of three known
by a single smith or workshop, would have originally
been dramatically attired in a long flowing robe
of Cowrie shells sewn on red cloth, with rows of
red leather amulets in bands above the face. The
bright metallic surface enhanced the role of this
important mask that at once was the "concept
of the chief" in a dramatic and ritual context
and the chief himself.
