Mask, Bamana; Mali
Wood; H. 25"
One of the six best known of Bamana
religious associations, Ntomo is a mutual
aid association concerned with the education of
young uncircumcised boys. Members wear a wooden
face mask during the initiation festival at harvest
time and when begging for rice. The number of horns
on such masks (two to eight) symbolizes a human
being's levels of increased knowledge. Other masks
of this type are covered with cowrie shells or small
red seeds with further esoteric significance. The
miniature mask rising from the forehead can be compared
to other Ntomo masks that feature a full
human or animal figure. The extremely dark and well-rubbed
surface attests to years of age and use.
