Animal head mask, small horned.
Mask like this are often worn as part of ritual hunting dances. We think it is supposed to be the head of an Antelope, which means the people who would wear it, would probably come from the plains, from a country such as Mali. Hunting is full of danger. It is a place where you come into contact with the spirits who offer nourishment. Each animal has a spirit. For this reason a hunters dance is often performed either before or after going hunting to show respect to the animals that will give their lives to support that of the hunter and his family.
More elaborate antelope masks exist for ritual hunting dances. A good example is danced by the Bamana (Bambara) people using their Tyi Wara antelope inspired dance masks/headdresses
