Faces of spirits

Faces of spirits

Making the spirits Visible

The African tribes of the Bwa and Nuna live in the dry savannah land of central Burkina Faso. The Bwa and Nuna seek the help of powerful spirits, who live in the wild forests, bush and country surrounding their villages. They try to control these forces and enlist their help, to battle the forces of destruction, The Bwa and the Nuna make masks that make these spirits visible, they use them to get in contact with these spirits and put them in touch with the people.  The Nuna masks depict the nature spirits; these are all the powerful animals like the hawk, buffalo and crocodile, which live in the surrounding areas. Either a family or a clan owns these masks; they use them to enlist the help of the spirits.

These masks are used in dancing rituals, this happens during market days and at funerals or initiation ceremonies, so they may honor the spirits and bring forward their blessings

Craved wooded masks of the Nuna represent the protective spirits that take animal form. The hawk mask above, is carved with an animal snout instead of the round mouth of a hawk, this is a typical of the Bwa who are the Nuna neighbors.