the street is our gallery

Skount recently finished another interesting wall and this time it is in Amsterdam. This mural was made as a spring homage to the prosperity of women, inspired by the Zaouli masks.

The artist spent some time researching different uses of masks in rituals in different countries and cultures around the world. Then a few years ago he discovered the Zaouli, a popular dance created by Gouro ethnic group (Ivory coast, Africa) in the fifties.

The Zaouli dance is a mesmerizing dance, performed by a masked character. According to what people say (because there are diverse legends regarding the origin of the Zaouli mask and dance) Djela Lou Zaouli was a goddess for the Gouro people and the words ‘Djela Lou Zaouli’ mean ‘The Lions daughter’.

This Dance is celebrated with wonderful music and dance of the Manfla region of Ivory coast. The mask is created to capture the beauty of Djela Lou Zaouli, lest she be forgotten.

The man who performs the dance wearing the mask is considered a reincarnation or a spirit and represents beautiful women of the village and prosperity. Also it is used to bring about and strengthen togetherness, that is links within the Gouro community. Such togetherness is extended to other communities. The Zaouli is seen, as a result, as a peace-making cultural item.

Great inspiration by Skount

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