Guro masks are dance masks, and their masquerade is well known in the West African villages. They are used for entertainment and represent social roles. Masks are worn by male dancers and dance competitions are held between neighbouring villages.
The dance usually has a cast of three characters. One, known as gu, is a beautiful young woman with intricate hair styling. Another is zaouli, an elderly old man with a beard. The third character is zamble, an antelope, probably the bushbuck, which is common to the region.
Human faces are often surmounted by a decorative zoomorphic element. The complexity of the carving demonstrates the artist’s creativity and skill. These masks are highly regarded for their elegance and attention to detail and rank among the finest in West Africa.