African Arts Gallery

This childlike puppet-like head forms a reduction of the famous niombo , a funerary anthropomorphic "package", sometimes of giant size, representing the deceased among the Bwende. The niombo was buried at funerals during ancestor cults. It is made of a wickerwork frame, swaddled with textile, and was kept in the house of the chiefs. The Vili, the Lâri, the Sûndi, the Woyo, the Bembé, the Bwende, the Yombé and the Kôngo constituted the Kôngo group, led by the king ntotela. Their kingdom reached its peak in the 16th century with the ivory and copper trade and the slave trade. With the same beliefs and traditions, they produced a statuary with a codified gesture in relation to their vision of the world. The sculptures of the Bwendé were strongly inspired by those of the neighboring ...

African art Gouro.
Monoxyle tribal sculpture made in dense wood, it takes the form of a thin feminine face, lacquered in a deep red, topped with two streaked shells accompanied by a volatile figure at the top. A lacquer of contrasting colours has given this African Gouro mask a smooth and shiny surface. Among the group of Mande from the south, in central Côte d'Ivoire, the Gouro have been using a family of African masks associated with the dance Zaouli since the 1950s. Like the Goli masks of the Baoulé, all Guro masks come in two zoomorphic masks followed by a third anthropomorph, which is considered the wife of the mask zamblé , the Gu . The Gu , whose function is apotropaic, represents a young woman with the criteria of beauty specific to Guro, especially facial scarifications and ...

This mannequin constitutes a reduced figure of the famous niombo, a funerary anthropomorphic "package" representing the deceased, sometimes of giant size, which was buried at funerals during ancestor cults. The doll is made of a wickerwork frame swaddled with textile. It was kept in the house of the chiefs. The Vili, the Lâri, the Sûndi, the Woyo, the Bembé, the Bwende, the Yombé and the Kôngo constituted the Kôngo group, led by the king ntotela. Their kingdom reached its peak in the 16th century with the ivory and copper trade and the slave trade. With the same beliefs and traditions, they produced a statuary with a codified gesture in relation to their vision of the world. The sculptures of the Bwendé were strongly inspired by those of the neighboring Beembe.

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" Mani " is a diminutive meaning "little person" qualifying the African puppets with a human face used by the Bambara and Markha during didactic shows. This tradition of puppet theater is common to the multi-ethnic peoples living in the inner Niger Delta, including the Bozo, particularly in the Segou region where it is called "sogobo."
Residues of pink pigments on the face. Velvety patina of use, cracks of desiccation.

In Mali, the invention of the puppet is attributed to the geniuses of the bush who kidnapped Toboji Centa, a bozo fisherman. During his stay with the geniuses, the man became familiar with this unknown art. On his return he goes to the blacksmiths and teaches them how to make two kinds of puppets: miniature or enlarged animals and ...

Long African mask-puppet zoomorphic honoring Faro, genius of water. Abrasions. The fin joint is held together by rubber tabs.
The Bozo , mostly fishermen and farmers, live in the northern part of Bambara country in the interior delta of the Niger and remain today still semi-nomadic, moving their dwellings according to the seasonal floods. They speak the Mande language and Sorogama. Within their group, we distinguish the Sorko or Sorogo, the Hain, and the Tie. In addition to their remarkable masks, the Bozo and Bambara are renowned for their puppets of various sizes and frequently articulated, which are exhibited during the Sogow Bo puppet theater, which is organized on the initiative of young people in the villages, mainly in the Segou region, and which plays an educational ...

Polychromy of African Bozo art sculptures in Mali.
Aquatic inspiration for African Bozo art sculptures
Polychromy for this African puppet mask honoring Faro, genius of the water, and featuring a plump fish. Abrasions and desiccation crack. The fin joint is held together by rubber tabs.
The Bozo , mostly fishermen and farmers, live in the northern part of Bambara country in the interior delta of the Niger and remain today still semi-nomadic, moving their dwellings according to the seasonal floods. They speak the Mande language and Sorogama. Within their group, we distinguish the Sorko or Sorogo, the Hain, and the Tie. In addition to their remarkable masks, the Bozo and Bambara are renowned for their puppets of various sizes and frequently articulated, which ...

Emblematic figure intended for the kibe-kibe, or Ebokita dance (S.Diakonoff) this sculpture refers to the mythical ancestor Oso. The face bears scarified patterns, and the mouth reveals sharp teeth.
Polychrome satin patina. Erosions.
In the past, the Kouyou were divided into two totemic clans: in the West that of the panther, and in the East that of the serpent. A secret male association, Ottoté, played an important political role in the appointment of chiefs. The initiation of young men ended with the revelation of the serpent god Ebongo represented in the form of a head. The Kibe-kibe or Kebekebe dances, which accompanied the ceremony, reactivated the successive stages of creation. The panther clan had a drum as its emblem. For its part, the snake clan had ...

This puppet shows a seated woman with a mirror and a comb. With the braids of the ibibio girls' hair, she offers an articulated jaw operated by a wire on the back.
Discreet polychrome patina, granular.
The Ibibios are a people of West Africa, mainly present in south-eastern Nigeria (Akwa Ibom State), but also in Ghana, Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea. The secret societies are numerous among the Ibibio settled west of the Cross River. Without a centralized government, their social organization is comparable to that of the neighboring Igbo. Ancestor worship is under the authority of the highest ranking members of the Ekpo. The latter use masks such as the idiok , linked to fallen spirits, and the mfon , representing saved souls. Statues and puppets are used by the ekon ...

Bozo polychrome works in African art from Mali.
This ancient African mask-puppet honors Faro, genius of the water. The fins are held in place by a rubber tab. Vivid polychrome patina locally abraded. The Bozo, fishermen and farmers for the most part, live in the northern part of the Bambara country in the interior delta of the Niger and are still semi-nomadic today, moving their dwellings according to the seasonal floods. They speak the Mande language and Sorogama. Within their group, we distinguish the Sorko or Sorogo, the Hain, and the Tie. In addition to their remarkable traditional masks, the Bozo and Bambara are renowned for their puppets of various dimensions and frequently articulated, which are exhibited during the Sogow bo puppet theater, which is organized on the ...

Bozo polychromy of Sculptures of African Art in Mali
Blancheur enhanced in red for this ancient African zoomorphic mask honoring Faro, water genius. Abrasions of use. Slit on the dorsal ridge. The fin joint is held by rubber strips. The Bozo , mostly fishermen and farmers, live in the northern part of the Bambara country in the interior delta of Niger and remain semi-nomadic today, moving their homes according to seasonal floods. Mande-speaking people, they speak sorogama. Within their group, we can distinguish the Sorko or Sorogo, the Hain, and the Tie.Besides their remarkable masks, the Bozo and the Bambara are renowned for their puppets of varied size and frequently articulated, exhibited during the theater of puppets Sogow bo which organizes itself on the initiative of young ...

Swiss tribal art collection.
Polychromy Bozo of African art sculptures in Mali
White cream for this former African zoomorphic mask honoring Faro, water genius. Abrasions of use. Splendon on the ridge. The fin joint is concealed by a blue cotton textile. The Bozo, mostly fishermen and farmers, live in the northern part of the Bambara country in the niger's inner delta and remain semi-nomadic today, moving their homes as seasonal floods occur. Mande-speaking people, they speak sorogama. Within their group, we can distinguish the Sorko or Sorogo, the Hain, and the Tie.Besides their remarkable masks, the Bozo and Bambara are renowned for their puppets of varied size and frequently articulated, exhibited during the puppet theatre Sogow bo which organizes itself on the initiative of ...

Polychromy of African bozo art sculptures in Mali. Aquatic inspiration for the sculptures of African Bozo art
POlychromy and pastillage for this African puppet-mask honoring Faro, genius of water, and representing a plump fish. Abrasions . The articulation of the fins is maintained by rubber tabs.
The Bozo, mostly fishermen and farmers, live in the northern part of the Bambara country in the Inner Niger Delta and remain semi-nomadic, moving their homes with the seasonal floods. People of Mande language, they speak Sorogama. Within their group, we distinguish the Sorko or Sorogo, the Hain, and the Tie. In addition to their remarkable masks, the Bozo and the Bambara are famous for their puppets of various sizes and frequently articulated, exhibited during the puppet ...

The African masks and Muslim influence


established in Côte d'Ivoire, but also in Ghana, the Ligbi, Islamized, however, were influenced by the Senufo tribal sculpture, since they instructed Senufo or Mande to carve their The Djimini, meanwhile, are Senoufo people living in the Dabakala region, which is why their masks linked to the do society, whose dances were generally supervised by the Ligbi, are marked by these reciprocal influences. Masked tradition, shared by the Djimini, was preserved to be manifested during the religious festivals of Eid al-Fitr and Eid el Kebir (sheep festival) accompanied by sacrifices and songs, and symbolizing in this way the breaking of fasting Just before the festivities, if necessary, the mask will be repainted and thus coated with koro, ...

Bozo polychrome of African art sculptures in Mali
Masque-puppet doll depicting the spirit of water Mamy Wata, with articulated arms and tail. The cult of Mami Wata, a female genius associated with the sea, spread from Ghana and then throughout West Africa. She embodies in the Bozo the beauty and the waters, a spirit of fertility protecting fishermen and their villages but also, in feminine guises, the master of water Faro. Stems inserted into the bust and bottom of the sculpture made it possible to manipulate the doll. Work in very good condition of preservation, despite tiny bursts and abrasions.
The Bozo, most fishermen and farmers, live in the northern part of the Bambara country in the inland Niger Delta and remain semi-nomadic today, displacing their homes with seasonal ...

Ex-collection Swiss tribal art.
Ngil's marottes in African art

This handlescephalmorphic marotte embodies the spirit of an anthropoid monkey, with deep orbits under a skull in a cap. The neck could then be lined with cloth, raffia, and the groundhog came alive to the sound of the drum. At the top, wood was discreetly removed and replaced to introduce a magical ritual charge. The irregular surface has burgundy brown satin areas. Greenish residual pigments around the eyes.
Situated between Cameroon and Gabon, in the equatorial forest, the Boulou are part of the Fang ensemble. Neighbouring Kweles also have a mask featuring a gorilla called Gong. Like the Fangs of South Cameroon famous for their large white masks, the Boulou practiced the Ngil ritual to combat ...

Bozo polychrome works in The African Art of Mali.
This ancient zoomorphic puppet mask honors, for the Bozo, faro the genius of water. This Bozo puppet mask, with articulated fins held by a rubber tongue, is made in matte polychromy. Residual taral inlays on a flank.
The Bozo, mostly fishermen and farmers, live in the northern part of the Bambara country in the niger's inner delta and remain semi-nomadic today, moving their homes as seasonal floods continue. Mande-speaking people, they speak sorogama.  Within their group, we can distinguish the Sorko or Sorogo, the Hain, and the Tie.In addition to their remarkable traditional masks, the Bozo and Bambara are renowned for their puppets of varied size and frequently articulated, exhibited during the puppet theatre Sogow bo which ...

Bozo polychrome works in The African Art of Mali.
This ancient African zoomorphic mask honors, for the Bozo, the genius of water. Rounded, naïve, and vivid polychromy forms, this Bozo puppet mask, with articulated fins held by a rubber tongue, is available in a matte version.  The Bozo, mostly fishermen and farmers, live in the northern part of the Bambara country in the niger's inner delta and remain semi-nomadic today, moving their homes as seasonal floods occur. Mande-speaking people, they speak sorogama.  Within their group, we can distinguish the Sorko or Sorogo, the Hain, and the Tie.In addition to their remarkable traditional masks, the Bozo and Bambara are renowned for their puppets of varied size and frequently articulated, exhibited during the puppet theatre Sogow bo ...

Animal sculptures in the African art of Mali
Vivid colors for water engineering , "Faro", embodied by this bozo zoomorphic puppet mask. Its rounded shapes are enhanced by a contrast of blue and red colours. The fins are held by rubber strips. The Bozo, mostly fishermen and farmers, live in the northern part of the Bambara country in the niger's inner delta and remain semi-nomadic today, moving their homes as seasonal floods occur. Mande-speaking people, they speak sorogama. Within their group, we can distinguish the Sorko or Sorogo, the Hain, and the Tie.In addition to their remarkable masks, the Bozo and Bambara are renowned for their puppets of varied size and frequently articulated, exhibited during the puppet theatre Sogow bo which organizes itself on the initiative of young ...

Bozo polychrome works in the African art of Mali
This ancient African zoomorphic mask honors, for the Bozo, Faro the genius of water. Rounded, naïve, and vivid polychromy forms, this Bozo puppet mask, with articulated fins held by a rubber tongue, is available in a matte version. The Bozo, mostly fishermen and farmers, live in the northern part of the Bambara country in the niger's inner delta and remain semi-nomadic today, moving their homes as seasonal floods occur. Mande-speaking people, they speak sorogama. Within their group, we can distinguish the Sorko or Sorogo, the Hain, and the Tie.In addition to their remarkable traditional masks, the Bozo and Bambara are renowned for their puppets of varied size and frequently articulated, exhibited during the puppet theatre Sogow bo ...

Bozo Polychromy of African Art Sculptures in Mali
Aquatic Inspiration for Africian Art Sculptures Bozo
Black, Yellow, and Polychrome Pastillage for this ancient African zoomorphic mask honoring Faro, water genius. Abrasions of use. The fin joint is held by rubber strips. The Bozo , mostly fishermen and farmers, live in the northern part of the Bambara country in the niger's inner delta and remain semi-nomadic today, moving their homes as seasonal floods continue. Mande-speaking people, they speak sorogama. Within their group, we can distinguish the Sorko or Sorogo, the Hain, and the Tie.Besides their remarkable masks, the Bozo and the Bambara are renowned for their puppets of varied size and frequently articulated, exhibited during the theater of puppets Sogow bo which is ...

The puppet masks of the Bozo Theatre in Mali
This former African zoomorphic mask honors Faro, water genius. Abrasions of use. Shards on the dorsal ridge and fins. The fin joint is held by rubber strips. The Bozo , mostly fishermen and farmers, live in the northern part of the Bambara country in the interior delta of Niger and remain semi-nomadic today, moving their homes according to seasonal floods. Mande-speaking people, they speak sorogama. Within their group, we can distinguish the Sorko or Sorogo, the Hain, and the Tie.Besides their remarkable masks, the Bozo and the Bambara are renowned for their puppets of varied size and frequently articulated, exhibited during the theater of puppets Sogow bo which organizes itself on the initiative of young people from the villages, ...