Mask "ntomo" ·  Mali, Bamana · ID: 3035901

Description

wood, partly encrusted brown patina, of typical form, five vertically projecting horns, coated with resin-like mass with inserted cowrie shells (partly missing), min. dam., missing parts through insect caused damage, slight traces of abrasion;
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…”