GPELYE MASKS

Gpelye mask represents the old mother or "Katyeleo", the supreme goddess. Gpelye masks reproduce the female face in a schematical way. As time goes by, peripherical ornamentation has been added, including geometrical shapes, human and animalistic figures from unknown origin, and leglike formations at the bottom. They was used by the Lo society, which governed the social life of the tribe. There are societies for teenagers and adults. The Gpelye masks concretized a supernatural spirit living in the invisible realm that responded to the supplication of worshippers pleadings. The Gpelye mask has many different finalities. It is used at harvest festivals to thank the ancestor for a good crop. In the funerary rites, hold for the purpose of leading the spirit into the land of the dead, it represents the deceased. It is also used to chase away harmful spirits from the village. It can act as "koddalu", in trivial ceremonies, or as "korrigo", in initiation ceremonies, waking the neophyte up after one year of training in the sacred forest.

If you want to see other gpelye mask in its original context, please click HERE.

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