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 Baule Kple-Kple Mask

The Baoulé Kple-Kple mask, a flat, circular mask with horns and stylized features, is a junior mask in the Baule Goli dance, worn by young boys and used in rituals celebrating harvests, honoring visitors, or commemorating notable figures. It's part of a sequence of mask types, with male and female pairs, and is notable for its abstract, geometric design, which reflects the influence of the neighboring Wan peoples.

Origin and Purpose:

The Kple-Kple mask, originating in the Guro region of Côte d'Ivoire, is a Baule mask used in the Goli dance, a performance that serves as entertainment and is performed at funerals of important men.

Appearance:

The mask is characterized by its flat, circular shape, surmounted by horns, projecting round eyes, and a rectangular mouth. It is often painted red for the male mask and black for the female mask.

Gender and Symbolism:

The Baule differentiate gender through color, with red typically designating the male and black designating the female. The mask is a junior mask, part of a sequence of mask types that appear in the Goli dance, with the Kple-Kple being the least prestigious.

Cultural Significance:

The Kple-Kple masks emphasize communal joy, respect for leadership, and the enduring cycle of life and renewal in Baule culture. They are used in rituals to celebrate bountiful harvests, honor distinguished visitors, or commemorate notable figures at funerals.

Materials and Craftsmanship:

The mask is made of wood, resin, and paint. The Baule people are known for their artistic skills, and these masks are a testament to their craftsmanship.

Goli Dance:

The Goli dance is a Baule tradition that involves a series of mask types, including the Kple-Kple, which is worn by young boys dressed in netted costumes and animal hide capes. The male mask dances first, followed by the female mask, and the masqueraders alternate with each other.




The Baule People

The Baule people, an Akan ethnic group, are one of the largest ethnicities in Côte d'Ivoire, traditionally farmers who live in the center of the country, known for their matrilineal social structure, and their art, including fine wooden sculptures.

Origins and Location:

The Baule people are descendants of the Akan, who migrated to their current location in Côte d'Ivoire around the 18th century. They are primarily located in the center of the country, in a region between the rivers Bandama and N'Zi, encompassing areas around Bouaké and Yamoussoukro.

Matrilineal Society:

Baule culture is traditionally matrilineal, meaning that familial and social status is determined through the female line.

Economy and Agriculture:

The Baule are traditionally farmers, cultivating yams, cocoa, and coffee, which are important cash crops.

Art and Culture:

They are known for their fine wooden sculptures, including ritual statuettes representing ghosts or spirits, and their art is inspired by religion, history, and folklore.

Political Influence:

The Baule played a significant role in the history of Côte d'Ivoire, with the country's first president, Félix Houphouët-Boigny, being a Baule man.

Language:

While French is the official language of Côte d'Ivoire, many Baule people also speak their own language, which is a tonal language belonging to the Niger-Congo language family. Baoulé (native name: wawle), also known as Baule or Bawule, is a language spoken in central and southern Ivory Coast, including in the regions of Lacs, Lagunes, Gôh-Djiboua, Sassandra-Marahoué, Vallée du Bandama, Woroba, and Yamoussoukro, by approximately 5.3 million people

Other notable facts:

The Baule assimilated many of the indigenous peoples in the area.

Baule masks are used for representative purposes, symbolizing deities, ancestors, and animal spirits.

The Baule people's political structure is based on a council of elders representing the lineages.

The Baule people are also known for their strong sense of community and family values.

Videos:


Baule Dance



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