Butterfly Mask of the Bwa: What It Was For and Why It Matters
Bwa | Burkina Faso | Nature Spirit / Agricultural
What was it for?
Butterflies are nature spirits for the Bwa. Butterfly masks dance at funerals, at initiations and at agricultural festivals, helping to keep the seasons in order. They belong to the wider family of Bwa masks that make the spirits of the natural world present among people.
What does it look like?
Wide, flat wings extending from a central face, with a wingspan that can reach six or seven feet. The surface is painted in the bold geometric patterns found on other Bwa masks, in black, white and red on natural wood. The Bwa name for this mask is yehoti.
Why does it matter?
The butterfly's change from caterpillar to winged creature makes it a fitting presence at initiation, where young people pass from one stage of life to another. Its appearance at funerals and farming festivals ties that idea of transformation to the cycle of life and the turning of the seasons.
One thing most people never know
Bwa butterfly masks are among the widest masks in African art, with wings that can span six or seven feet. As the dancer turns, the broad painted wings sweep through the air and fill the space around him, so a single performer can command the whole arena.
Further reading: the source record for this entry.
This entry is part of the SEVICS Africa archive of 100 African masks. If you own a mask like this and want to know more about it, try our Mask Identifier.
