Additional information
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Chiwara with Sacrificial Patina
Chiwaras are ritual objects used by the Bamana people of Mali to honor the spirit of the roan antelope, believed by the Bamana to have introduced cultivation to their ancestors. One of the largest species of antelope, the roan antelope is a savanna animal whose symbolism in ritual and ceremonial practices speaks to the importance of acknowledging agriculture’s value in Bamana society. This 20th c. abstract Chiwara features sacrificial residue, pointing to its traditional use in the ritual ceremonies of the Chiwara initiation society. It is an example of the vertical Chiwara style, with curved horns and a classically angular snout.
15.5″
