African Dance Chiwara Mask

Chiwara is a ritual object representing an antelope, used by the Bambara ethnic group in Mali. The Chiwara initiation society uses Chiwara masks. The Chi Wara is always danced with each wooden figure attached to a basket on the dancer’s head, and the body covered in a huge pile of raffia. Often, the face is obscured with raffia that has been colored or decorated, and the dancer carries a long staff. The figures are always in one or more male/female pairs, with the female usually dancing behind the male, fanning him and spreading his powers into the gathered community. It is in excellent condition, being over 30 years old. Mounted on a stable wooden base, it lacks brass fittings, bronze sheet ornaments, or similar.