MAG Collection - Crest Mask: Female Antelope (Chi Wara)

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Crest Mask: Female Antelope (Chi Wara)

30 1/2 x 7 5/8 x 8 in. (77.5 x 19.4 x 20.3 cm)

Bamana artist
Mali

Bamana; made in Mali

Object Type: Sculpture

Medium and Support: Wood, cane, shell, yarn and brass

Credit Line: Gift of Isabel C. Herdle

Accession Number: 1993.14

Location: Currently on view

Link to this object

In many cultures, gods and spirits take the form of animals. Selected for their physical or behavioral traits, features of different animals are combined to create mythical creatures whose symbolic powers are greater than those of ordinary beasts. This antelope crest mask combines the curved horns of an antelope, the curious snout and scales of a pangolin (a kind of anteater) and the squat body of an aardvark—all animals that dig up the earth. This makes them fitting representations of Chi Wara, the supernatural being the Bamana believe taught humans to farm. The masks were worn in male/female pairs during dance performances in the fields that taught and encouraged good farming. Today, because of conversion to Islam and a variety of social changes due to westernization, the Chi Wara masquerade is now performed for entertainment and cultural pride.
[Gallery label text, 2009]

Provenance

Isabel C. Herdle, Rochester, NY; her gift to the Gallery in 1993

Keywords Click a term to view the records with the same keyword

African art

antelopes

sculpture

chi wara

Bamana

Audio & Video Resources

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Exhibition List

This object was included in the following exhibitions:

Traditional Art of Black Africa Memorial Art Gallery 11/14/1969 - 12/28/1969
A Circus for Santa Memorial Art Gallery 12/3/1976 - 1/3/1977
Man, The Incomplete God 11/19/1977 - 2/12/1978

Bibliography

This object has the following bibliographic references:

Memorial Art Gallery. Gallery Notes. Rochester, NY: Memorial Art Gallery, 1935-1995.

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This object is a member of the following portfolios:

African Art

All Sculpture

Animals in Art

Lesson Plans Using MAG Objects

Many Faces, Many Places

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Passport to the Past

Picturing the Story

Storytelling with Art

Traditions & Encounters: Art of Africa, Oceania & Native North America

Web Links See links to web pages and lesson plans

MAGexplore MAGexplore provides in-depth information and close looking at over 200 objects in MAG's collection.

Genesis: Ideas of Origin in African Sculpture This website for an exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art includes video footage of ci wara dances.