Bambara ritual statue — Bambara, Mali — African tribal art — Ref. 177

Description

This Bambara statue, originating from Mali, represents a male figure in a dynamic posture, with arms raised toward the sky. Made from wood, it is marked by a strong stylisation of the face and body, with ritual scarifications carefully carved on the torso and face. The exaggeration of the features, particularly the prominent sex, reinforces the symbolic importance of virility and fertility in Bambara culture.
This statue is probably associated with the initiation rites of Komo or Jo, Bambara secret societies in which sculptures are used to embody protective spirits and transmit esoteric teachings to initiates. The raised arms may symbolise an invocation of ancestors or spiritual forces, a posture frequently observed in Bambara ritual iconography.
Old wood with a beautiful patina of use, attesting to long exposure to rituals. Some visible cracks, but without major alteration to the structure.

Technical details

Type of piece

Statue

Category

Statues

Ethnic group

Bambara

Country

Mali

Materials

wood

Dimensions

H 114 × W 17 × D 24 cm

Weight

11 kg

Estimated dating

second half 20th c.

Laboratory test

Not tested

Reference

177