A WOOD AND FIBER 'BANDA' MASKGuinea, Baga/ Nalu96 cm high Provenance: Vittorio Bellini (1936-2009) collection.The 'banda' mask would represent a spiritual being with great powers, who used to manifest himself only to the elders of the tribe and in moments of greatest danger. The rituals in which it was used were aimed at obtaining protection against animal and human attacks. The young dancer wore it horizontally on his head, along with a dense raffia kit covering his face and most of his body. The dance, imitating animal movements, was marked by the rhythm of percussion instruments.