This statue represents a dancer of a secret society in all his clothes (a woven costume, an ornament made of natural fibres, breeches made of animal skin, etc.) as well as the mask representing the three colours of the songye: red, white and black. The male masks, with occult powers, were exhibited during punitive and disciplinary expeditions. 

Bibliography : 

For examples of Songye initiation dolls see:

• "L'intelligence des formes" (Willy Mestach collection)
• Beauty and the Beasts (Marc-Leo Felix)

Provenance : 
 

• Richard Vinatier Collection