Hyaena mask "suruku" · Mali, Bamana · ID: 3036469
Description
wood, dark brown patina, oval form with protruding forehead and pointed chin, tusk-like appendage underneath the nose, both ears with circualr drillings, min. dam., fine cracks, traces of insect caused damage (back), 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. The meaning of the hyaena mask differs according to the respective context of its appearance. Within the scope of the “koré” celebration the hyaena in most cases symbolizes the effort of the initiates to perfect their secret knowledge.
The object Hyaena mask “suruku” with the object ID 3036469 was last part of the auction 76th tribal art auction at March 22, 2014 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 134 achieved a sales price of EUR 15,000.
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Comparing literature
Colleyn, Jean Paul (Hg.), Bamana, Zürich 2001, p. 123, ill. 110
Publications
Arts d'Afrique Noire 126 (2003), p. 44; Galerie Alain Bovis (ed.), Sculptures. Paris 2003, ill. 6