Masked Festivals of Canton Bo, Southwest Ivory Coast

The African masks that inspired painters like Picasso in the early 20th century were only a small part of a larger cultural context and spectacle. The festivals of Canton Bo centered on the masked spirit forms of ancient ancestors who appeared in festivals wearing carved masks and full body coverings. Through rare drawings and photographs, along with masks from the Peabody Museum collections, Masked Festivals explores the different kinds of masked spirits and their performances.