A finely carved warthog mask from the Ligbi people of the Ivory Coast (19th/20th Century).
 
From the Bondoukou Region, this mask represents a warthog known as ‘leu’. In the past, Do performances possessed religious significance, but today they are considered primarily entertainment, staged to celebrate special occasions. Since most of the peoples who maintain the tradition are Muslim, masquerades are held during festivals marking the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting.
 
The word ‘Do’ means secrecy or something that is hidden. Do masquerades are also organised for weddings and funerals. Do performances may best be described as theatre because they are similarly structured to a play. The warthog is stalked by a hunter, and in this reenactment of the hunt, the hunter shoots his gun but misses his target, and the warthog proceeds to attack the hunter and prevails.
 
This particular mask is in good worn condition and has a fantastic patina.