Poro mask; 19th-mid-20th century; wood, horns, raffia fiber, cotton cloth, feathers, metal; height 301⁄4, made by the Senufo people, i.e, the West African ethnolinguistic group. They consist of diverse subgroups living in a region spanning the northern Ivory Coast, southeastern Mali, and western Burkina Faso. One sub-group, the Nafana, is found in north-western Ghana. The Senufo people are predominantly animists, with some who are Muslims. They are regionally famous for their handicrafts, many of which feature their cultural themes and religious beliefs. The Poro mask in the Metropolitan Museum of Art is Designed to pay homage to female ancestors, this mask’s serene dark oval face is offset by glinting brass, symmetrical extensions, and delicate patterns symbolizing wisdom and beauty.