Handmade African Mask, 'Akan Friend' (Ghana)

By Rita Addo Zakour, this imposing mask depicts a long, slender personage who opens his mouth to sing. She carves and paints the original design by hand, naming it Ogyam, an Akan word which means "friend." 

Product Features:

• Weight: 1.1 lbs
• Dimension: 19" H x 4.7" W x 2.4" D
• Color: Yellow
• Sese wood
• Intended as wall decor
• Made in Ghana

Story Behind The Art:
I find inspiration by opening my eyes wider to see things — in magazines, on TV, on the streets, and all around me.Requests for my designs led us to build a workshop at home and have proper supervision of the work. The carvers who collaborate with me use traditional tools. As the demand grows, I'm able to give work to more carvers, which generates more income for them and their families. I sometimes have young men in the community showing an interest in learning how to carve, and they come around to observe. It is possible one or two carvers who show a keen interest can make a career out of this. The workshop also provides local women with a constant supply of wood scraps for cooking. I'm proud to say that, on few occasions, I've chipped in financially to help a couple of children in my neighborhood. These children see me as their second mother and it is a joy to put a smile on their faces. 

Please allow 10 business days for the product to leave our warehouse and to receive tracking information.You should expect to receive this item within 15 business days.