Bamana Door Lock in Snail Form

According to Pascal Imperato in Door Locks of the Bamana of Mali, the snail has important meanings for the Bamana, as it is the only animal with horns that can do no harm. The word for snail itself, koté, translates to “that which has no consequence,” or “that which does no harm.” Because of its symbolic meaning to the Bamana people, members of the Koré society are prohibited from eating snails.

15″

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