In the Dan region of the Ivory Coast and neighboring Liberia, both men and women whose families own an important mask are entitled to own miniature masks such as this one. They help family members maintain contact with the mask’s benevolent spirit when traveling far from home. Before marrying and moving to their new home, women commission miniature masks to maintain their close relationship to the family’s mask spirit. African art collectors in Europe and the United States often refer to these miniature masks as “passport” masks.