Antelope dance crest "tjiwara" · Mali, Bamana · ID: 3033901
Elisabeth Verhey, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
Description
wood, dark brown patina, horizontal type with long projecting horns, the separate worked head attached by metal clamps, metal ear and nose rings, rising from an oval base with drilled holes for attachment, dam., missing parts through insect caused damage (base), rest., slight traces of abrasion, on wooden base;
the “tjiwara” masquerades were performed at the beginning and ending of the agrarian cycle. The religious and social life of the Bamana people was determined by six initiation communities. Each level of initiation was represented by a special mask type. The “tijwara” headdress belongs to the fifth level. Its members had to encourage a good harvest by celebrating their masquerades.The masks used to appear in pairs male-female, symbolizing the sun and the earth and their meaning for human life.