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Wood mask, 'Ebusuah'

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Product ID: 29999

7.9" W x 15.8" H x 2.4" D

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Weight: 2.6 lbs

Sese wood

Ships from NOVICA Office in Ghana.

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Made in Ghana

Wood mask, 'Ebusuah'

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Wood mask, 'Ebusuah'

Ebusuah is the Akan-Asante word for "family," and in this spectacular mask one can see the head of the family serenely surveying his realm atop the mask. Other members of the family are shown on the borders of the mask. Hand-carved by Nana Frimpong, this special mask celebrates life and above all the strength of family ties, kinship and lineage that are highly consolidated throughout Ghanaian society. It symbolizes the corporation, integrity, origin and preservation of this most important social body or organization. Finely detailed, this piece is waxed and polished to a fine finish.

Each African mask has been made for a particular purpose. It is important to remember that every figure and ritual object is a living being, the temporary abode of spirits, and also represents the vital links between man and the world of the supernatural, possessing awesome powers of its own. However, music, chanting, dancing, sacrifices and the full array of rituals that accompanies any mask bring it fully to life, and are the essential elements that provide its deep-rooted meaning and power to the community. These complex ceremonial events express vital social, religious, and moral values for the whole community, while the uniqueness of each mask is a testament to the artistry of its community and the individual artist's originality. With careful attention to the masks' artistic and symbolic detail, it is possible to perceive these same values within the masks themselves.

Your Price: $72.95

Retail Value: $130.95 (You save 44%)

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Chief Carver Nana Frimpong

Nana Frimpong is the chief carver for the king of the Ashanti. Frimpong's artistry has been featured on BBC's The World, Business Week, The Christian Science Monitor, and The Washington Post.

Nana Frimpong is the chief carver for the king of the Ashanti. Frimpong's artistry has been featured on BBC's The World program, and in periodicals including Business...

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Chief Carver Nana Frimpong

Nana Frimpong is the chief carver for the king of the Ashanti. Frimpong's artistry has been featured on BBC's The World program, and in periodicals including Business Week, The Christian Science Monitor, and The Washington Post. He is also featured in Keepers of the Arts, a beautiful hardcover book available through Novica.

"I am currently the chief carver for the king of the Ashanti, because of my great ability in carving. Some of my work for the king includes objects with the gye nyame (symbol for the supremacy of God), stools, staffs and other royal and ceremonial objects. I have trained and qualified some ten men in the art of skilled carving. I draw inspiration from traditional kente cloth designs, from my family background, and from our rich Ashanti tradition."

"After leaving school I took up carving as a trainee under my father, Kojo Duah. Later, Professor Ablade Glover of the University of Science and Technology spotted my work. I ended up staying under this man's tutelage from 1970 to 1972, compiling additional skills and experience through his direction and guidance. This led me to decide to establish my own workshop.

"I would like the outside world, especially those who buy my works, to know that Ghana has a lot to offer – not only in terms of human resources, but also very good products and artworks like the ones that I create. Every carving that I make has a message; we hope that people will enjoy and appreciate the messages of our culture.

"My dream has always been to invest in my children's education. I am happy to say that this is now possible – two of my sons are in university, the first of our family to obtain a higher education. My other primary goal is to help my community, so that the poverty that plagues them will be eradicated completely. Above all, I wish to help make it possible for peace and tranquility to prevail in my community and the nation of Ghana as a whole.

"My advice to the world is that we should as a matter of urgency stop all wars so as to make the world a better place for everybody to live in. If we all cherished hard work and dedicated ourselves to our professions, the world would be a more peaceful place."

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Customer Reviews of Chief Carver Nana Frimpong

I bought "Ebusuah" for my husband and we both think it is magnificent! A beautiful mask with a deep, rich patina to the wood that makes it come alive. Thank you!...