Mémoire d’Afrique — Ref. 28
N’tomo initiation helmet-mask — Bambara, Mali — African tribal art — Ref. 28
Unavailable
Description
This initiation helmet-mask comes from the Bambara people of Mali, renowned for their age-grade societies and educational ritual masks. It belongs to the N’tomo tradition, a male initiatory society responsible for educating young boys before circumcision. Entirely covered with cowries arranged in regular motifs, symbols of wealth, fecundity and protection, it has a pierced vertical crest, once adorned with pompoms or plant fibres. Three circular mirrors encircled with beads, fixed on the forehead and temples, reflect the supernatural power of the mask and serve to ward off harmful spirits. The enveloping form, the long raised nose, the slit mouth and the narrow eyes recall the aesthetic canons specific to Bambara masks. Torn ritual fabrics remain around the base, witnesses to effective traditional use. The patina is old and dry, with visible cracks and wear from use.
Technical details
- Availability
- Unavailable
- Type of piece
- Masque
- Category
- Masks
- Ethnic group
- N'Tomo_Bambara
- Country
- Mali
- Materials
- wood, cowries, miroir, fabric, pompom
- Dimensions
- H 40 × W 15 × D 38 cm
- Weight
- 2 kg
- Estimated dating
- second half 20th c.
- Laboratory test
- Not tested
- Reference
- 28