Hyaena mask "suruku"
Mali, Bamana
not available anymore
Provenance
Boris Kegel-Konietzko, Hamburg, Germany (1962)Sepp Arnemann, Hamburg, Germany
Size
H: 39 cm
H: 15.4 inch
Description
wood, dark brown patina, partly decorated with metal sheet and tags, small bells, of angular form with a prominent nose, small projection above the forehead containing the life-giving energy “nyama”, incision backside: “BAMBARRA”, min. dam., minor missing parts, slight traces of abrasion;
the masks are looked upon as bearers of energy, and already during their making they receive blood sacrifices. During the performance the dancers take a crooked posture, leaning on short sticks, which optical lengthens their arms and imitates the bearing of a hyaena.