{"id":2067758,"date":"2026-07-29T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-07-28T21:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2067758"},"modified":"2026-07-29T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-07-28T21:00:00","slug":"innovation-meets-heritage-in-west-african-contemporary-artists-masquerade-ensembles","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2067758","title":{"rendered":"Innovation Meets Heritage in West African Contemporary Artists\u2019 Masquerade Ensembles"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"entry-content prose-colossal max-w-none\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull is-style-default entry-header is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6c531013 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"colo-post-featured-image wp-block-post-featured-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2667\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/masquerade-8.jpeg\" class=\"attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image\" alt=\"a detail of an elaborate and colorful African masquerade ensemble\" style=\"object-fit:cover\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sheku \u201cGoldenfinger\u201d Fofanah, \u201cFairy\u201d Masquerade Ensemble (detail) (2022). All images courtesy of the New Orleans Museum of Art, shared with permission<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group post-title is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-0bc941e6 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h1 class=\"alignfull wp-block-post-title\">Innovation Meets Heritage in West African Contemporary Artists\u2019 Masquerade Ensembles<\/h1>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull post-meta is-layout-flex wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-date\"><time datetime=\"2026-07-29T10:47:30-05:00\">July 29, 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<div class=\"taxonomy-category wp-block-post-terms\"><a class=\"category-art\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/category\/art\/\" rel=\"tag\">Art<\/a><a class=\"category-history\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/category\/history\/\" rel=\"tag\">History<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-post-author-name\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/author\/kmothes\/\" target=\"_self\" class=\"wp-block-post-author-name__link\">Kate Mothes<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignfull post-share-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6c531013 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing has-visible-labels has-icon-color is-style-logos-only is-layout-flex wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-is-layout-flex\">\n<li style=\"color: #1c1e0d\" class=\"outermost-social-sharing-link outermost-social-sharing-link-facebook has-crow-color wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.thisiscolossal.com%2F2026%2F07%2Fnew-african-masquerades-exhibition-west-africa-masks-costumes-traditions%2F&amp;title=Innovation%20Meets%20Heritage%20in%20West%20African%20Contemporary%20Artists%27%20Masquerade%20Ensembles\" aria-label=\"Share\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-anchor\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-label \"><br \/>\n\t\t\tShare\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"color: #1c1e0d\" class=\"outermost-social-sharing-link outermost-social-sharing-link-mail has-crow-color wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/cdn-cgi\/l\/email-protection#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\" aria-label=\"Email\" class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-anchor\"><br \/>\n\t\t\t\t<span class=\"wp-block-outermost-social-sharing-link-label \"><br \/>\n\t\t\tEmail\t\t<\/span><br \/>\n\t<\/a>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><button class=\"simplefavorite-button preset\" data-postid=\"476246\" data-siteid=\"1\" data-groupid=\"1\" data-favoritecount=\"0\"><i class=\"sf-icon-bookmark\"><\/i>Bookmark<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Across West Africa, Indigenous communities mark holidays, rites, and sacred events with a remarkable variety of ceremonies ranging from dances to processions. These <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Masquerade_ceremony\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">masquerade traditions<\/a> incorporate meticulously carved masks and full-body costumes that often facilitate links between humans and the spiritual world. There\u2019s evidence of masked customs dating back millennia, and today, artists continue the tradition of hand-hewn masks and ensembles in vivid colors and a wide array of materials\u2014sometimes with a twist.<\/p>\n<p>The exhibition <em>New African Masquerades: Artistic Innovations and Collaborations<\/em>, which opens at the <a href=\"https:\/\/mfastpete.org\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Museum of Fine Arts St. Petersburg<\/a> next month, celebrates contemporary creations by four artists: Chief Ekpenyong Bassey Nsa\u00a0(Nigeria),\u00a0David Sanou\u00a0(Burkina Faso),\u00a0Sheku \u201cGoldenfinger\u201d Fofanah\u00a0(Sierra Leone), and\u00a0Herv\u00e9 Youmbi\u00a0(Cameroon). Along with displays of some of their masks and full ensembles, visitors will be able to explore documentary photographs and videos of ceremonies and parades in addition to immersive multimedia experiences.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/masquerade-5.jpeg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-476246\" title=\"Headpiece by Andr\u00e9 Sanou and body by anonymous artist, \u201cKimi\u201d masquerade ensemble in honor of Andr\u00e9 Sanou\u2019s \u2018Qui Dit Miuex?\u2019 (2022). Collection of Fitchburg Art Museum, photo courtesy of the New Orleans Museum of Art\" data-rl_title=\"Headpiece by Andr\u00e9 Sanou and body by anonymous artist, \u201cKimi\u201d masquerade ensemble in honor of Andr\u00e9 Sanou\u2019s \u2018Qui Dit Miuex?\u2019 (2022). Collection of Fitchburg Art Museum, photo courtesy of the New Orleans Museum of Art\" data-rl_caption=\"Headpiece by Andr\u00e9 Sanou and body by anonymous artist, \u201cKimi\u201d masquerade ensemble in honor of Andr\u00e9 Sanou\u2019s \u2018Qui Dit Miuex?\u2019 (2022). Collection of Fitchburg Art Museum, photo courtesy of the New Orleans Museum of Art\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2667\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/masquerade-5.jpeg\" alt=\"a geometric mask and colorful raffia costume of an African masquerade ensemble\" class=\"wp-image-476254\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Headpiece by Andr\u00e9 Sanou and body by anonymous artist, \u201cKimi\u201d masquerade ensemble in honor of Andr\u00e9 Sanou\u2019s \u2018Qui Dit Miuex?\u2019 (2022). Collection of Fitchburg Art Museum, photo courtesy of the New Orleans Museum of Art<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cAcross many West African cultures, masquerade a broad range of artistic, social, spiritual, and civic traditions,\u201d the museum says. \u201cEncompassing sculpture, textiles, performance, music, movement, and community participation, these performance traditions continuously adapt to contemporary life.\u201d Sanou\u2019s geometric masks are bold and brightly painted, often paired with costumes made from colorfully dyed fiber. And one can even spot pop culture references in Youmbi\u2019s \u201cTso Scream Mask,\u201d for example, which coats the iconic visage from the <em>Scream <\/em>movie franchise with thousands of beads.<\/p>\n<p><em>New African Masquerades <\/em>is conceived as a dynamic exploration of the masquerade tradition\u2019s collaborative and community-based practices, inviting viewers to a kind of reverie where time-honored heritage meets constant innovation. The show is organized by the New Orleans Museum of Art in partnership with the Muse\u00e9 des Civilisations noires in Dakar, Senegal. The exhibition opens on August 15 and continues through January 3, 2027, in St. Pete, Florida. Follow updates on the museum\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/mfastpete\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/masquerade-2.jpeg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-476246\" title=\"Herv\u00e9 Youmbi (Cameroon), \u201cTso Scream Mask\u201d from the \u2018Visage de masques (IX) series\u2019 (2015-2023), wood, pigment, fiber, beads, textile, glue, velvet fabric, cotton fabric, silk embroidery, and horse hair. Collection of the New Orleans Museum of Art\" data-rl_title=\"Herv\u00e9 Youmbi (Cameroon), \u201cTso Scream Mask\u201d from the \u2018Visage de masques (IX) series\u2019 (2015-2023), wood, pigment, fiber, beads, textile, glue, velvet fabric, cotton fabric, silk embroidery, and horse hair. Collection of the New Orleans Museum of Art\" data-rl_caption=\"Herv\u00e9 Youmbi (Cameroon), \u201cTso Scream Mask\u201d from the \u2018Visage de masques (IX) series\u2019 (2015-2023), wood, pigment, fiber, beads, textile, glue, velvet fabric, cotton fabric, silk embroidery, and horse hair. Collection of the New Orleans Museum of Art\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"3333\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/masquerade-2.jpeg\" alt=\"an elaborate and colorful African masquerade ensemble with beaded details and a face resembling the mask from &apos;Scream&apos;\" class=\"wp-image-476249\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Herv\u00e9 Youmbi (Cameroon), \u201cTso Scream Mask\u201d from the \u2018Visage de masques (IX) series\u2019 (2015-2023), wood, pigment, fiber, beads, textile, glue, velvet fabric, cotton fabric, silk embroidery, and horse hair. Collection of the New Orleans Museum of Art<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/masquerade-4.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-476246\" title=\"Herv\u00e9 Youmbi, \u201cTso Scream Mask\u201d and \u201cTso Scream Leopard Mask\u201d at the Nka\u2019a Kossi\u00e9 society succession ceremony at Fondanti Chieftancy (December 3, 2022). Photo by Herv\u00e9 Youmbi, courtesy of the artist and Axis Gallery, New York and New Jersey\" data-rl_title=\"Herv\u00e9 Youmbi, \u201cTso Scream Mask\u201d and \u201cTso Scream Leopard Mask\u201d at the Nka\u2019a Kossi\u00e9 society succession ceremony at Fondanti Chieftancy (December 3, 2022). Photo by Herv\u00e9 Youmbi, courtesy of the artist and Axis Gallery, New York and New Jersey\" data-rl_caption=\"Herv\u00e9 Youmbi, \u201cTso Scream Mask\u201d and \u201cTso Scream Leopard Mask\u201d at the Nka\u2019a Kossi\u00e9 society succession ceremony at Fondanti Chieftancy (December 3, 2022). Photo by Herv\u00e9 Youmbi, courtesy of the artist and Axis Gallery, New York and New Jersey\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1631\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/masquerade-4.jpg\" alt=\"an African masquerade ceremonial procession consisting of four figures in elaborate head-to-toe costumes\" class=\"wp-image-476253\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Herv\u00e9 Youmbi, \u201cTso Scream Mask\u201d and \u201cTso Scream Leopard Mask\u201d at the Nka\u2019a Kossi\u00e9 society succession ceremony at Fondanti Chieftancy (December 3, 2022). Photo by Herv\u00e9 Youmbi, courtesy of the artist and Axis Gallery, New York and New Jersey<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/masquerade-7.jpeg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-476246\" title=\"Sheku \u201cGoldenfinger\u201d Fofanah (Sierra Leone), \u201cFairy Masquerade Ensemble\u201d (2022), fabric, sequins, wood, paint, and glue, life-size. Commission for the Fitchburg Art Museum, photo courtesy of the New Orleans Museum of Art\" data-rl_title=\"Sheku \u201cGoldenfinger\u201d Fofanah (Sierra Leone), \u201cFairy Masquerade Ensemble\u201d (2022), fabric, sequins, wood, paint, and glue, life-size. Commission for the Fitchburg Art Museum, photo courtesy of the New Orleans Museum of Art\" data-rl_caption=\"Sheku \u201cGoldenfinger\u201d Fofanah (Sierra Leone), \u201cFairy Masquerade Ensemble\u201d (2022), fabric, sequins, wood, paint, and glue, life-size. Commission for the Fitchburg Art Museum, photo courtesy of the New Orleans Museum of Art\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2512\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/masquerade-7.jpeg\" alt=\"an elaborate and colorful African masquerade ensemble\" class=\"wp-image-476250\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sheku \u201cGoldenfinger\u201d Fofanah (Sierra Leone), \u201cFairy Masquerade Ensemble\u201d (2022), fabric, sequins, wood, paint, and glue, life-size. Commission for the Fitchburg Art Museum, photo courtesy of the New Orleans Museum of Art<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/masquerade-3.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-476246\" title=\"Herv\u00e9 Youmbi, \u201cBamil\u00e9k\u00e9-Kwele Ku\u2019ngang Gorilla Mask\u201d and \u201cSingle-faced Rhino Mask\u201d during a ceremony in Fondanti village (2019). Photo by Herv\u00e9 Youmbi, courtesy of the artist and Axis Gallery, New York and New Jersey\" data-rl_title=\"Herv\u00e9 Youmbi, \u201cBamil\u00e9k\u00e9-Kwele Ku\u2019ngang Gorilla Mask\u201d and \u201cSingle-faced Rhino Mask\u201d during a ceremony in Fondanti village (2019). Photo by Herv\u00e9 Youmbi, courtesy of the artist and Axis Gallery, New York and New Jersey\" data-rl_caption=\"Herv\u00e9 Youmbi, \u201cBamil\u00e9k\u00e9-Kwele Ku\u2019ngang Gorilla Mask\u201d and \u201cSingle-faced Rhino Mask\u201d during a ceremony in Fondanti village (2019). Photo by Herv\u00e9 Youmbi, courtesy of the artist and Axis Gallery, New York and New Jersey\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/masquerade-3.jpg\" alt=\"Three figures dance in masks with long black braid-like ropes during a ceremony\" class=\"wp-image-476252\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Herv\u00e9 Youmbi, \u201cBamil\u00e9k\u00e9-Kwele Ku\u2019ngang Gorilla Mask\u201d and \u201cSingle-faced Rhino Mask\u201d during a ceremony in Fondanti village (2019). Photo by Herv\u00e9 Youmbi, courtesy of the artist and Axis Gallery, New York and New Jersey<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/masquerade-6.jpeg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-476246\" title=\"Headpieces by David Sanou, studio of Andr\u00e9 Sanou, \u201cKimi\u201d masks during a performance of greetings with the lead griot Tchiedo playing his drum behind them (May 3, 2022),  Bindougosso district, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. Photo by Lisa Homann\" data-rl_title=\"Headpieces by David Sanou, studio of Andr\u00e9 Sanou, \u201cKimi\u201d masks during a performance of greetings with the lead griot Tchiedo playing his drum behind them (May 3, 2022),  Bindougosso district, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. Photo by Lisa Homann\" data-rl_caption=\"Headpieces by David Sanou, studio of Andr\u00e9 Sanou, \u201cKimi\u201d masks during a performance of greetings with the lead griot Tchiedo playing his drum behind them (May 3, 2022),  Bindougosso district, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. Photo by Lisa Homann\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1333\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/masquerade-6.jpeg\" alt=\"a photograph of geometric &quot;Kimi&quot; masks and colorful raffia costumes during a ceremonial performance\" class=\"wp-image-476255\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Headpieces by David Sanou, studio of Andr\u00e9 Sanou, \u201cKimi\u201d masks during a performance of greetings with the lead griot Tchiedo playing his drum behind them (May 3, 2022),  Bindougosso district, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. Photo by Lisa Homann<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/masquerade-9.jpeg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-476246\" title=\"Chief Ekpenyong Bassey Nsa (Nigeria), \u201cAfia Awan Masquerade Ensemble\u201d (2022), polyester fabric, raffia, and leather, life-size. Collection of the New Orleans Museum of Art\" data-rl_title=\"Chief Ekpenyong Bassey Nsa (Nigeria), \u201cAfia Awan Masquerade Ensemble\u201d (2022), polyester fabric, raffia, and leather, life-size. Collection of the New Orleans Museum of Art\" data-rl_caption=\"Chief Ekpenyong Bassey Nsa (Nigeria), \u201cAfia Awan Masquerade Ensemble\u201d (2022), polyester fabric, raffia, and leather, life-size. Collection of the New Orleans Museum of Art\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"2589\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/masquerade-9.jpeg\" alt=\"an elaborate African masquerade costume with white raffia ruffles and large armlets and anklets\" class=\"wp-image-476257\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Chief Ekpenyong Bassey Nsa (Nigeria), \u201cAfia Awan Masquerade Ensemble\u201d (2022), polyester fabric, raffia, and leather, life-size. Collection of the New Orleans Museum of Art<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/masquerade-1.jpg\" class=\"swipebox\" data-rel=\"lightbox-gallery-476246\" title=\"Sheky \u201cGoldenfinger\u201d Fofanah parading with his Mami Wata devil during the Massaboni Ordehlay procession (December 26, 2022), Lunsar, Sierra Leone. Photo by Amanda M. Maples\" data-rl_title=\"Sheky \u201cGoldenfinger\u201d Fofanah parading with his Mami Wata devil during the Massaboni Ordehlay procession (December 26, 2022), Lunsar, Sierra Leone. Photo by Amanda M. Maples\" data-rl_caption=\"Sheky \u201cGoldenfinger\u201d Fofanah parading with his Mami Wata devil during the Massaboni Ordehlay procession (December 26, 2022), Lunsar, Sierra Leone. Photo by Amanda M. Maples\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2000\" height=\"1796\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/masquerade-1.jpg\" alt=\"an elaborate and colorful African masquerade ensemble parades down the street amid a group of people\" class=\"wp-image-476248\"><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Sheky \u201cGoldenfinger\u201d Fofanah parading with his Mami Wata devil during the Massaboni Ordehlay procession (December 26, 2022), Lunsar, Sierra Leone. Photo by Amanda M. Maples<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<aside class=\"after-entry\" role=\"complementary\" aria-label=\"After Entry\">\n<section id=\"block-16\" class=\"widget widget_block widget_text\">\n<p><mark style=\"background-color:#88caf0\" class=\"has-inline-color\"><strong>Do stories and artists like this matter to you?<\/strong><\/mark> Become a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/members\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"118516\">Colossal Member<\/a> now, and support independent arts publishing.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<section id=\"block-17\" class=\"widget widget_block\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns are-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top member-benefits is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Hide advertising<\/li>\n<li>Save your favorite articles<\/li>\n<li>Get 15% off in the <a href=\"https:\/\/colossal.shop\/\">Colossal Shop<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Receive members-only newsletter<\/li>\n<li>Give 1% for art supplies in K-12 classrooms<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top member-options is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:50%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-fe9cc265 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Join us today!<\/h3>\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-horizontal is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-crow-color has-verdigris-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/colossal.memberful.com\/checkout?plan=113464\">$7\/month<\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-crow-color has-verdigris-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/colossal.memberful.com\/checkout?plan=113463\">$75\/year<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-crow-color has-chalk-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/members\/\">Explore membership options<img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"20\" height=\"21\" class=\"wp-image-327872\" style=\"width: 20px\" src=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/arrow-left.svg\" alt><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/section>\n<\/aside>\n<nav class=\"navigation post-navigation\" role=\"navigation\">\n<div class=\"nav-links\">\n<div class=\"nav-previous\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thisiscolossal.com\/2026\/07\/lucy-sparrow-the-beginning-of-convenience\/\" rel=\"prev\">Next article<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/nav><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Sheku \u201cGoldenfinger\u201d Fofanah, \u201cFairy\u201d Masquerade Ensemble (detail) (2022). All images courtesy of the New Orleans Museum of Art, shared with permission Innovation Meets Heritage in West African Contemporary Artists\u2019 Masquerade Ensembles July 29, 2026 ArtHistory Kate Mothes Share Email Bookmark Across West Africa, Indigenous communities mark holidays, rites, and sacred events with a remarkable variety [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[226,270],"class_list":["post-2067758","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-crawlmanager","tag-thisiscolossal-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2067758","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2067758"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2067758\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2067758"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2067758"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2067758"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}