Ci-wara Headdress – Wood – Bambara – Mali

Bambara carvers have established a reputation for the zoomorphic headdresses worn by Chi-Wara society members. Although they are all different, they all display a highly abstract body, often incorporating a zig-zag motif, which represents the sun`s course from east to west, and a head with two large horns. Bambara members of the Chi-Wara society wear the headdress while dancing in their fields at sowing time, hoping to increase the crop yield.

Great tribaly used Chi-Wara headdress in good condition with clear traces of wear and tear. One ear is damaged.

Provenance: former private collection from the Netherlands