Hyaena mask "suruku" · Mali, Bamana · ID: 3038107
Description
wood, matt greyish brown patina, sacrificial traces, hemispherical vaulted forehead, box-shaped protruding snout, pointed ears, min. dam., missing parts through insect caused damage (esp. at the back),cracks, traces of abrasion;
the masks are regarded 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 3038107 was last part of the auction 79th Tribal Art Auction at March 21, 2015 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 121.
You can find more Masks and other popular object types on our related topic pages. You may also be interested in our page on African art.
Comparing literature
Colleyn, Jean Paul (Hg.), Bamana, Zürich 2001, p. 119, ill. 104 Ndiaye, Francois et. al., Arts et peuples du Mali, Amiens 1994, p. 60, ill. 74