Apparently, the Toussian are a small group living in the Southwestern part of Burkina Faso (formerly called Haute-Volta). This type of mask was used in initiation ceremonies. The masks were made by blacksmiths. They were made of one, more or less square piece of hardwood, very two-dimensional, named Loniake. Two diagonals are indicated with encrusted red (abrus?) seeds.

On top comes the head of a big bird (the Calao) or horns, that symbolize the spirit of the clan / totem of the initiated boy.

Well, that’s the detail about the mask, but really I bought it because it looks fabbb! Those two holes in the middle are eye holes… imagine wearing that! I bought it from Africa and Beyond near San Diego, so it’s a very well travlled mask!