African Masks of Burkina Faso and Mali: A Trilingual Edition from the Collection of James Gaasch (Paperback or Softback)

The photographs of the African masks and carvers in this book represent the Bwa (or Bwaba), Winiama and Mossi peoples of Burkina Faso, and the Bamana and Dogon peoples of Mali. Gaasch acquired many of these masks in the villages where they were carved. When possible, he interviewed the village carvers, the creators, of these dancing masks. Gaasch’s interviews with the carvers underscore the cultural context where traditional African world views persist. And, to the extent possible, they give voice to the masks to reveal their own significance. They are, in our times, signifiers of cultures increasingly under siege, hostage to religious fanaticism, or to impoverishing globalization. This small book reaffirms the rights of these masks to continue to dance. This all new revised edition provides side-by-side translations in English, Spanish, and French.