Face mask with large female figure "satimbe"

wood, red pigment, thick encrusted black colour mixed with vegetal material, min. dam. (finger tips)

The Dogon have a large number of different types of masks, which all belong to the "awa" society, and appear during the funeral ceremonies of the "dama". These ceremonies are held every two or three years to honour those elders, who had died in the intervening years.

The "satimbe" mask is also used in the "dama" festivities, but upholds a a special position. It represents "yasigine", the oldest sister of the masks ("sigui") and the only woman in the village of the "awa" society who is allowed to dance. Literally translated "satimbe" means "sister of the head".