Mask "ntomo" ·  Mali, Bamana · ID: 3034082

Description

wood, dark brown patina, remains of resin-like mass, originally inset with cowrie snails, pierced around the rim, fine cracks, slight traces of abrasion, on metal base;
in Bamana society each member has to pass through six initiation levels during his life in order to achieve perfect wisdom. Present mask belongs to the first initiation level, “ntomo”, which is followed by “komo”, “nama”, “kono”, “tjiwara” and “kore”. When entering “ntomo” the young boys had to learn how to keep silent and how to suffer in silence. According their main song goes: “shut up, shut up, the spoken word is the enemy”…

Comparing literature

Bambara sculpture from the Western Sudan, New York 1960, ill. 30