Zoomorphic mask (antelope) ·  Mali, Bamana · ID: 3033350

Description

wood, blackish brown patina, flat facial plane with elongated nose bridge, crowned by high towering long horns, slightly dam., missing parts through insect caused damage (horn tips), cracks, on metal base;
initiation communities are a central institution within the social structure of the Bamana and “ntomo” forms the first of this communities. Present mask presumably belonging to the “ntomo” society, which is indicated by the lack of the mouth, for this underlines the central lesson of the “ntomo”, i. e. the control of the word and the merit of keeping silence.