Mask - Brass, Wood - Chi Wara - Bamabara - Mali - 104 cm

The term Ciwara is composed of the Bamanan words Ci = Labour, and Wara = Lion, the carved Ciwara is not a mask, but a crest which is worn on the summit of the head, thanks to a small hat in reed. Among the Bamana, the Ciwara, rewards the greatest workers in all the fields of the working life, after several stages of initiation. The Ciwara represents the legendary antelope of the Bambara and is, therefore, the symbol of courage, abnegation and wisdom. Like the Chimera, the dragon, the mermaid or the Medusa, the Ciwara became a widespread theme, an exuberant symbol which exists in the life of all persons curious of Africa. The Ciwara in carved, engraved and patinated wood, brought worldwide fame to the Bamanan art of Mali, by celebrating the mythical union between the sun and the earth, by simulating the hard labour of young farmers. Provenance: art gallery.