Sun Mask

York's Shona Gallery presents the "Sun Mask." The Sun Mask was hand carved in 1963 in Burkina Faso in West Africa by the Bwa peoples. It is a unique, large plank mask made from one piece of wood. It depicts a face with an arrow motif as a nose circular concentric eyes, and an open, round mouth. The Sun Mask is danced around by the Bwa peoples during agricultural ceremonies to bless seasonal crops. 

The Bwa Tribe occupy large areas of Mali and Burkina Faso, extending from the banks of the Bani River in Mali in the north almost to Diebougou and the Ghana/Burkina border in the south. The Bwa have produced different types of wooden masks that portray human and animals characters with dramatic abstracted features and brightly colored geometric designs worked onto the surface of their masks.

Some other masks have abstract forms difficult to associate to any animal or human character. The Bwa religion is based upon magical objects and figures that are kept in village and family shrines. The spirit that inhabits the shrine also is found in masks that represent a spirit of the bush known as ‘Su’ that appears in different animal forms. These masks appear on a number of occasions including the initiation of young boys when they are informed about the different masks, their meanings, and how the various masks symbolize early myths and local history during annual celebrations when the masks are danced.

This lightweight mask can be easily mounted to the wall.

Shipping

At York’s Shona Gallery, we always put our clients first. We have the most rapid fulfillment services of all online art websites. The majority of items will ship within 6 hours of ordering from Monday-Saturday. Depending on the shipping method you choose and where you are located in the United States, you should receive your item within 5 days.  

We also ship worldwide. Purchase the item of your choice and we will contact you shortly after with details on shipping and applicable taxes.

Back to Tribal Masks

• Condition: Excellent, not previously owned, undamaged
• Sourcing: Fair Trade
• Certificate of Authenticity: Available Upon Request
• Provenance Report: Available Upon Request

Buy now and leave the shipping to us. At checkout you pay for the piece plus a shipping deposit. We then plan the packing for your piece and email you the remaining shipping balance. This applies to both domestic and international orders. Every shipment is tracked, and most deliveries need a signature.

• Domestic: 5-8 business days
• International: 10-14 business days
• White-glove delivery available on request

Dust with a soft, dry cloth. No oil, polish or cleaning product is needed, and none should be used.

Keep it out of direct sunlight and away from radiators and damp. Wood cracks when it dries unevenly, and heat is the usual cause.

Hangs on a wall or sits on its stand. Fix a wall mounting into a stud or an anchor rated for the weight.