Gunyege face mask
A Gunyege, or racing mask, is defined by its wide circular eyes and slightly raised perimeter. While this mask type was developed to train young men for war, more recently it has been performed primarily during feats of athleticism, including at racing exhibitions held during the dry season. At these events, unmasked runners are chased by an embodiment of Gunyege. If a runner manages to outpace the spirit, he puts on his own mask and the direction of pursuit is reversed. As Dan masks are believed to be invincible, Gunyege races present a rare opportunity for humans to prevail against their masked competitors.
This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.
This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.
