Spectacular large sculptures forming a male and female couple associated with the Ci Wara Bambara, Bamana, or "wild beasts of the earth" antelopes. Matte brown patina. Good general condition. Established in central and southern Mali, the Bambara, "Bamana" or "unbelievers", as Muslims have called them, belong to the large Mande group, like the Soninke and the Malinke. Sculpted by the blacksmith numu, also playing the role of soothsayer and healer, this crest embodies the animal - genius Ciwara who is said to have taught the Bambara to cultivate the land. Worn on the top of the head and held in place by a basketry hat, these crests accompanied the dancers during the rituals of the tòn, an association dedicated to agricultural work. The masks roamed the field by leaping in order to chase away the nyama, evil scents, and to detect any danger, or to flush out the evil spirits that could steal the soul of the cultivated plants as well as the vital force of their seeds.
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