West African Mali Carved Wood Bamana Chi Wara Ci Wara Antelope

Description

A
Chiwara
(also
Chi wara
,
Ci Wara
, or
Tyi Wara
;
Bambara
:
ciwara
;
French
:
tchiwara
) is a ritual object representing an
antelope
, used by the
Bambara
ethnic group in
Mali
. The Chiwara initiation society uses Chiwara masks, as well as dances and rituals associated primarily with agriculture, to teach young Bamana men social values as well as agricultural techniques.
Chiwara masks are categorized in three ways:
horizontal
,
vertical
, or abstract. In addition, Chiwara can be either male or female. Female Chiwara masks are denoted by the presence of a baby antelope and straight horns. Male Chiwara masks have bent horns and a
phallus
. The sex of a Chiwara mask is much clearer on horizontal and vertical masks while abstract masks tend to be difficult to classify.
The appearance of the Chiwara form varies greatly both by region and time produced. Specific master wood carvers also subtly modified the accepted (or even religiously mandated) local forms, forming a distinct "signature" or "school" of Chiwara figures.
These regional variations have been roughly assigned the stylistic categories above. The
measurement
is 18.50inches tall and 8 inches wide
Note; Photos are exact
representation
of the item and price is for both items.
We sale in bulk with a bulk pricing and have a special pricing to ship with DHL express if you want your item sooner!!!!