This headdress was created in the style of a Chiwara by the Bamana people of Mali. Chiwara’s can come in many shapes and sizes and depict antelopes. This particular piece depicts a male and measures 40.75 inches tall and weighs 5.5 pounds. Both ears are missing and minor scrapes and scuffs throughout – please inspect photos.
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Male Bamana Chiwara Antelope Headcrest 40.75″ on Base – Mali
Original price was: $350.00.$315.00Current price is: $315.00.
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| Type of Object | Chiwara head crest |
|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Mali |
| Ethnicity | Bamana/Bambara |
| Animal | |
| Material | Wood, Pigment, Animal Hair |
| Approximate Age | Unknown |
| Height (Inches) | 40.75" |
| Width (Inches) | 3.25" |
| Depth (Inches) | 12.75" |
| Weight (Pounds) | 5.5 lbs |
| Overall Condition | Both ears are missing – scrapes and scuffs. |
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Tribe Information
About the Bamana People
“The 2,500,000 Bambara people, also called Bamana, form the largest ethnic group within Mali and occupy the central part of the country, in an area of the savannah. They live principally from agriculture, with some subsidiary cattle rearing in the northern part of their territory. The Bambara people are predominantly animists, although recently the Muslim faith has been spreading among them. The Bambara kingdom was founded in the 17th century and reached its pinnacle between 1760 and 1787 during the reign of N’golo Diarra is credited with conquering the Peul people and in and in turned claimed the cities of Djenne and Timbuktu. However, during the 19th century, the kingdom began to decline and ultimately fell to the French when they arrived in 1892. For the most part, Bambara society is structured around six male societies, known as the Dyow (sing Dyo).”
Source:
Baquart, Jean-Baptiste. The Tribal Arts of Africa. New York: Thames and Hudson Inc. 1998. Print.
Additional Information
Chiwara Headdresses
A Chiwara is a headdress based on a mystical creature that resembles an antelope. Bamana legend tells a story about a Chiwara who taught their ancestors to cultivate. They watched the Chiwara use his antlers to dig and hooves to plant seeds. By observing closely, humans became expert farmers, but began to waste food as they had too much to consume themselves. The Chiwara then buried himself in the earth after becoming disappointed with the humans. The elders, sad that they had lost him, made a mask in his memory. The Chiwara mask is only given to the best and hardest workers of the land, often being passed down from one expert to another. Considered a great honor, the recipient of the mask will wear the headdress while dancing the ceremonial Chiwara dance. The dance symbolizes fertility of earth and man, and gratitude towards the Chiwara and ancestors.
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