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Ivory Coast View gallery (23 photos)

Goli Masks sent on 03 Febbraio 2026 (11:40) by Roberto Pazzi. 0 comments, 138 views.

at 35mm, 1/400 f/6.3, ISO 100, hand held.

The Goli masks of the Baulè tribe (Ivory Coast). HUMANKIND, my premium, limited-edition, museum-quality standard book featuring over 200 large-format photos. Available on my website: https://robertopazziphoto.com The Baulè are a population of farmers and the main tribe in Ivory Coast and they represent about 23% of the population of the country. Still today, these people keep their own traditions and rituals based on ancestral dances and masks. The Baoulé are traditionally animists and they believe in the existence of spirits in which the soul of the ancestors resides. In Baulè culture, the Goli mask tradition is one of the most important expressions of spiritual and social identity. The performance is a sacred event in which the visible world and the world of spirits meet, bringing protection and balance to the community. Goli masks appear during major occasions such as funerals, ceremonies for ancestors, harvest celebrations, and important village events. The spirits intervene in the life of the community taking the form of a mask (the whole costume and not just the part that covers the face), that consists of a wooden facial effigy, of raffia and fabric costumes and metallic anklets. Their presence is believed to keep away negative forces and to bring blessings. The performance follows a sequence with different masks, each with its own rhythm, movements, and role, alternating energetic and more controlled characters. Many Goli masks have rounded forms with horns, often linked to powerful animals like the buffalo or antelope, symbols of strength and vitality. Others have more human features and represent authority and order. The masks represent the gods and are always worn by men. The dancer is fully covered so that his identity disappears, allowing the mask to embody a spiritual presence. Raffia and fabric emphasize movement, while metallic anklets add sound that blends with drums and singing. Despite modern changes, Goli masks remain a key symbol of Baulè heritage, valued both for their artistic beauty and for their sacred role in connecting the living with the ancestors. Website: https://robertopazziphoto.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/roberto_pazzi_photo

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