Ivorian Senufo People Mask: "Kpelie"

This is an Ivorian Senufo People ancestor mask, called "kpelie." The mask is used in rituals by the Poro Society of the Senufo peoples. The Poro Society is in charge of age-grade initiation.  Although worn by men as part of the initiation rituals, the kpelie represents female perfection and is used to depict the great mother, the ancestor of all and the giver of life, according to Poro philosophy.

The projections at the top of this mask represent the horns of a bull, while the lateral projections at the sides refer to the stylized hair arrangements of Senufo mothers. The "legs" at the bottom of the mask serve to connect it to the earth. In addition to their use in initiation rituals, kpelie were also used in agricultural ceremonies and funerary rites.
Source:
http://www.newpaltz.edu/museum/exhibitions/african_art/1-3a.htm
http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/poro/hd_poro.htm