Antelope dance crest "sogi-ni-kun" or "tjiwara" ·  Mali, Bamana · ID: 3036869

Description

wood, partly encrusted dark brown patina, remains of animal hair, stylized body of an antelope with two vertical protruding horns and long projecting ears, fixed on a wickerwork cap, coated with long extending dark brown plant fibres, strings of cowrie shells running around, min. dam., small missing parts (cowrie snails), slight traces of abrasion;
“sogi ni kun” describes a head crest as well as a masquerade. It was created in the Wasolon area and was established in the neighbouring regions as well. Just like the “tjiwara” society, the “sogi ni kun” is an association of juveniles (“ton”). The mask dancers appear on working competitions in villages or on the fields.

Comparing literature

Colleyn, Jean Paul (Hg.), Bamana, Zürich 2001, p. 221