Bamileke "Elephant" Masquerader

For the Bamileke people, some of their most elaborate masks are used in the elephant masquerades. The elephant masks represent power and strength.  The front panel is the elephant trunk, and the two large, stiff circles hinged to either side of the head are its ears, which flap as the masker dances.

Elephant masks comprise cloth panels and hoods woven from plantain fiber over raffia. On this background multicolored beads are stitched in geometric patterns. The basic form of the elephant - a long trunk and large ears - is constructed as a hood which fits tightly over the masker's head. The two hanging panels, one behind and one in front, partially conceal the body, although some designs feature long overcoats.  While the mask symbolizes an elephant, the face has more human-like features.




Bamileke Masquerader

Here is my inspiration of the elephant masquerader