Antelope dance crest "tjiwara"

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Description

wood, middle brown patina, tiny brass discs and nail heads forming the eyes, horizontal type with long projecting horns, the head carved separate, fixed by metal clamps (and inserted slice), the stylized head of a second antelope below, with cord attached to a wickerwork base, slightly dam., paint rubbed off, rep. (neck);
the religious and social life of the Bamana people was determined by six initiation communities. Each level of initiation was represented by a special mask type. The “tijwara” headdress belongs to the fifth level. Its members had to encourage a good harvest by celebrating their masquerades.The masks used to appear in pairs male-female, symbolizing the sun and the earth and their meaning for human life.

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Publications

Alain Bovis, Sculptures, Paris 2003, ill. 8

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