Mémoire d’Afrique — Ref. XX5
Ci Wara — Bambara, Mali — African tribal art — Ref. XX5
Description
This crest mask, called Ci Wara or Tyi Wara, comes from the Bambara people of Mali. It embodies the mythical civilising antelope said to have taught agriculture to humans, and is used in ceremonies linked to the fertility of the fields. Carved from wood with a double male-female composition, the piece represents two stylised antelopes with slender bodies and horns that are broken but still present, characteristic of the vertical style of Ségou. The whole is enhanced with red pompoms, beads and traditional cowries, and has a pierced base for fixing it to the wearer’s skull during ritual dances. The dark patina and wear of the wood attest to authentic ritual use. It is a mask worn horizontally, danced by initiates accompanied by musicians and acrobats.
Technical details
- Type of piece
- Masque
- Category
- Masks
- Ethnic group
- Bambara
- Country
- Mali
- Materials
- wood, iron, pompons, cowries
- Dimensions
- H 91 × W 6 × D 23 cm
- Weight
- 1,4 kg
- Estimated dating
- second half 20th c.
- Restoration / losses
- Two horns restored
- Laboratory test
- Not tested
- Reference
- XX5