Guinea, Liberia
Toma / Loma

Wood, hide, fiber
Early-Mid 20th Century
Height: 25.5 in; Width: 18.25 in
Membranophone – Struck (Directly) – Single Headed

The Toma people of Guinea, called Loma in Liberia, live in the high-altitude rain forest across the Guinea-Liberia border.  They are renowned for their landai board masks intended to animate the initiation rites of the association poro which structures their society, and which represents spirits of the bush.  This Toma/Loma ritual footed drum displays high relief  carvings of symbolic objects and miniature masks suggesting it is part of the poro ceremony and used during the initiation of young males to full members of the community.  Repair to drum head, shows age and usage.