This menacing and highly encrusted figure is a Mbra (or Gbreke) monkey mask from the Baule group of the Ivory Coast. It is a classical example of the genre, depicting an emaciated monkey with protuberant eyes. This monkey is called “Mbra” (or Gbreke), and is a potent symbol for the Baule. Accounts of their use vary: they were often stood up in Baule villages and are used to assist in trance divination rituals in which it helped the diviner transmit messages to the hereafter. It is also claimed to have served a protective function to keep malevolent spirits away from men’s societies. They are considered so powerful that women are not allowed to see them except for diviner consultations; they are usually kept in the bush away from prying eyes, and fed” on libations of eggs and blood; dogs are usually sacrificed to this end.

The Baule live across the Ivory Coast area, and have an economy based primarily on sedentary agriculturism and a strong ritual and artistic heritage. Blolo bian (male) and Blolo bla (female) spirit spouses – wooden representations of otherwordly partners – are perhaps the Baule’s greatest artistic and psycho-social achievement. The Baule are also known for sculptures representing bush spirits (Asie usu) – mischievous and potentially malevolent inhabitants of the “bush”, or dark country beyond the boundary of the village – monkeys, and three types of masks that are used in the celebration of good harvests, mourning, and the visits of important dignitaries.



This is a superb and impactive piece of African art.