Bissau-Guinean Dugn'be or Bull Helmet Mask, Based

The bull comes down the path, and the village knows a young man is inside.

This is a dugn’be, a bull helmet mask from the Bissagos Islands of Guinea-Bissau, made in the 20th century. Young men danced such masks in initiation, moving like a bull to show a strength not yet tamed by adulthood. It is carved in wood, with real horn, glass eyes and pigment. The head is naturalistic, the inset materials adding to the effect.

It sits on a custom base, nearly a foot and a half long. Face it toward the entrance. Let the neighbors wonder.