Akan Wood Mask, "African Family"

Ebusuah is the Akan-Asante word for "family," and in this spectacular mask one can see the head of the family serenely surveying his realm atop the mask. Other members of the family are shown on the borders of the mask. Hand-carved by Nana Frimpong, this special mask celebrates life and above all the strength of family ties, kinship and lineage that are highly consolidated throughout Ghanaian society. It symbolizes the corporation, integrity, origin and preservation of this most important social body or organization. Finely detailed, this piece is waxed and polished to a fine finish.

Each African mask has been made for a particular purpose. It is important to remember that every figure and ritual object is a living being, the temporary abode of spirits, and also represents the vital links between man and the world of the supernatural, possessing awesome powers of its own. However, music, chanting, dancing, sacrifices and the full array of rituals that accompanies any mask bring it fully to life, and are the essential elements that provide its deep-rooted meaning and power to the community. These complex ceremonial events express vital social, religious, and moral values for the whole community, while the uniqueness of each mask is a testament to the artistry of its community and the individual artist's originality. With careful attention to the masks' artistic and symbolic detail, it is possible to perceive these same values within the masks themselves.