African Arts Gallery

This African animal mask, not related to initiation rites, is the first to enter the scene before other zoomorphic masks to celebrate the end of the dry season in the Bougoumi region. The villagers gather every year through masked dances and abundant consumption of beer and palm wine. Matte patina, erosions and small accidents.
Established in central and southern Mali, in a savannah area, the Bambara, "Bamana" or "unbelievers", as the Muslims have called them, belong to the large Mande group, with the Soninke and the Malinke. Mainly farmers, but also breeders, they make up the largest ethnic group in Mali. The Bambara nyamakala artisan groups, more specifically the blacksmiths called numu, are in charge of sculpting ritual objects, endowed with nyama, occult energy. Using fire and magical objects, the role of healer and diviner is also attributed to them. Their powers are transmitted to their women, who alone have the right to produce pottery.