Harvest Joy

A serious expression belies the joy of an abundant harvest. Carved and painted by hand, this handsome mask comes from Abdul Aziz Mohamadu. 'It is used by the Chamba people of Nigeria during the Chambalare festival, which celebrates the end of the hunger suffered in the olden days,' he says. 'Farmers wear the mask to remember the days of severe hunger. Although the festival is joyous and filled with merrymaking, the sight of this mask reminds people to keep their crops well and waste nothing.' He names this piece Daimuwa, a Hausa word meaning 'Worried.'