Painted Guro Mami Wata Mask

This brightly-colored painted mask is a dance mask attributed to the Guro peoples of Côte d'Ivoire. The mask depicts Mami Wata, or "Mother of Water," a goddess of water, healing, fertility, and the ocean. A shared deity across north and west Africa, Mami Wata incorporates spiritual practices from Europe and Indian influences and is depicted in a wide range of cultural styles and art forms. A benevolent protector figure, Mami Wata constructs meaning from encounters with overseas strangers and provides a link to neighboring African cultures.

This example shows Mami Wata as a kneeling figure atop a central mask, grasping a snake in each hand. Worn over the face of a performer during dance ceremonies, the Mami Wata mask allowed the performer to act as a medium for her spirit. The mask borrows stylistic elements from Guro depictions of Gu, the beautiful wife of the mythical antelope spirit Zamble, such as the red-painted skin and the placement of the small figure.