Bobo Tribe rare helmet mask

The Bobo lived in the eastern part of Burkina Faso. They were basically farmers who grew cotton, peanuts, maize, millet and yams. Their lives were regulated by a council of elders and never by a lone chief. The Bobo believed in the god Wuro who formed the earth from a ball of mud. Wuro created Dwo who was responsible for helping mankind. The Bobo lived in a region of dry savannah and were dependent on rainfall to have a successful harvest. In order for this to happen they must purge themselves of evil and reestablish the god given balance between sun, earth and rain which is acheived through ceremony. During the rituals protective animal bush spirits were called upon along with the son of god Dwo. The masks are sacred and possess divine power. These bush spirit masks are also worn during ceremonies associated with new crops, initiations and other tribal rituals. The Bobo tribe does not exist today however some of their sacred masks are still around, this is one of them.