Imina kanaga (kanaga masquerade vest)

Dogon artist

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 341

In Dogon society, imina (masks) refer not only to the face coverings, but also to the costumes and the performance. The materials used to make these elaborate ensembles hold deep cosmological significance—the hibiscus plant from which the fibers are extracted grew where a primordial woman named Yasigi is said to have impregnated the earth. Its red and yellow fibers, essential materials that imbue the mask with nyama (life force) and pangan (power), remain closely associated with the reproductive capacities of women. However, as the power generated by Yasigi’s act was considered too dangerous for women to handle, only men may harvest and fashion masks from these plants.

Imina kanaga (kanaga masquerade vest), Dogon artist, Cotton, dye, cowrie shells, plastic, glass, metal, Dogon peoples

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Open Access

As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.

API

Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API.

Imina kanaga (kanaga masquerade vest), Dogon artist, Cotton, dye, cowrie shells, plastic, glass, metal, Dogon peoples
Imina kanaga (kanaga masquerade vest), Dogon artist, Cotton, dye, cowrie shells, plastic, glass, metal, Dogon peoples
Imina kanaga (kanaga masquerade vest), Dogon artist, Cotton, dye, cowrie shells, plastic, glass, metal, Dogon peoples
Imina kanaga (kanaga masquerade vest), Dogon artist, Cotton, dye, cowrie shells, plastic, glass, metal, Dogon peoples
Imina kanaga (kanaga masquerade vest), Dogon artist, Cotton, dye, cowrie shells, plastic, glass, metal, Dogon peoples
Imina kanaga (kanaga masquerade vest), Dogon artist, Cotton, dye, cowrie shells, plastic, glass, metal, Dogon peoples
Imina kanaga (kanaga masquerade vest), Dogon artist, Cotton, dye, cowrie shells, plastic, glass, metal, Dogon peoples
Imina kanaga (kanaga masquerade vest), Dogon artist, Cotton, dye, cowrie shells, plastic, glass, metal, Dogon peoples
Imina kanaga (kanaga masquerade vest), Dogon artist, Cotton, dye, cowrie shells, plastic, glass, metal, Dogon peoples
Imina kanaga (kanaga masquerade vest), Dogon artist, Cotton, dye, cowrie shells, plastic, glass, metal, Dogon peoples
Imina kanaga (kanaga masquerade vest), Dogon artist, Cotton, dye, cowrie shells, plastic, glass, metal, Dogon peoples

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.