Leather mask, 'Golden Orixa'

Brazil's Marcilio Barroco shares his personalized representation of an Orix� with an original hand-tooled leather mask. Orix� is the general term to refer to any deity from the Yoruba religion, brought to Brazil by West African slaves during the colonial period. These gods personify the forces of nature and hold integral roles in Afro-Brazilian rituals. As forces of nature, they are free of prejudices, dogmas, taboos, concepts and gender. However, myths and legends resulted in their personification, presumably to have a better understanding of their force, power, and influence. The mask is fitted with elastic, so that it may be worn or used as a decorative item.