goli

Goli is a popular masquerade dance performed by the Baule people of Côte d'Ivoire, primarily during funerals. It serves as a form of social commentary and represents social hierarchies and oppositions within the community.1

The dances often feature composite masks, such as the goli gbin, which combines elements of a bush cow, antelope, and crocodile. This mask is described as frightening and aggressive, yet it is also linked to life and continuity. The bonu amwin masks, derived from Mande traditions, are also among the most feared and represent a bush-cow/antelope combination. Masquerade dancers in African societies often embody deities, ancestral spirits, or serve as entertainers, with the type of mask influencing the dance style.12