About
Widely practiced in many cultures throughout Africa, masking expresses spirituality, acts as a form of social control, and entertains communities. One of the most well-known performance traditions of the eastern Mossi from present-day Burkina Faso, is Wan-zega.
Wan-zega is a wooden and fiber mask and costume that completely covers the masquerader, leaving only his feet exposed. The raffia expands the wooden sub-structure, transforming the performer into a dominating presence and giving form to spirits from the wilderness to command the realm of the town. Wan-zega asserts authority and appears during community celebrations. When performed during the beginning of society members’ funerals, the masquerader carries a flexible whip made from branches to strike at participants. Later in the procession, the mask reemerges to celebrate and honor the deceased and escort their spirit into the world of ancestors.