Pair Bambara Tji Wara Headdress Figures

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$3,500.00

Quantity Available: 1

The largest ethnic group in Mali, the Bambara are abou 2.5 million strong in the western and southern portions of Mali, with their area disected by the Niger river. These are a rare form of tji wara antelope headdresses called gonzon tsi wara with a human head extended in front and two pairs of horns. As is normal with this type figure the upper neck and antelope head are secured by a large metal staple. They were worn on a basketry cap on top of the head with rafia and cloth hanging around the head and body of the dancer by members of the tsi wara society. This tsi wara figure represents the mythical being who taught man how to farm. These are always danced in male/female pairs speaking of fertility and agricultural abundance. The horizontal horns on the antelope would indicate these were from the Bambara region north of the Niger river.