African Carving A Dogon Kanaga Mask

The Kanaga mask is used in deeply sacred rituals by the Dogon people of Mali Carving this mask is as important a ritual as the ceremonies in which the mask is used The carver a blacksmith finds the proper tree and in a secret cave outside the village he shapes the mask with gestures which repeat the movement of the dancers who will wear it When a dancer wears the Kanaga mask he becomes the Creator symbolically He touches the ground with his mask and directs a soul to Heaven Although these dances are now frequently performed for the public the meaning of Kanaga is retained by the Dogon who fear respect and depend on the power of the mask