Chiwara Headdress- Bamana |
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Seguo Region, Mali wood- size: 13"x33" h The Chi wara appear in pairs for harvest festivals. This example is the female, representing the earth. the young antelope on her back represents mankind. The male counterpart represents the sun. They are worn tied to a basket on the head. The body is hidden by a raffia fiber costume. The chi wara is the mythical hero who came from the skies to teach the people to farm. the chi wara is part antelope and part man. Many chi wara have elements of other animals. The chi wara is one of the 'societies" of the Bamana. The Chiwara dance was originally a "religious" ceremony. Now, for many of the Bamana it is for a plentiful harvest. The Bamana have abstracted animals--exaggerating some of the characteristics of the animals. the surface is carved with texture and is polished smooth with palm oils. The graceful curving line of the neck is echoed in the lines of the male fawn. The tall horns represent the millet that is harvested. |
