Photo of collection object Headdress (Ci-wara Kun)
Bamana. Headdress (Ci-wara Kun), 20th century. Wood, metal, pigment, 11 x 22 1/4 x 2 1/2in. (27.9 x 56.5 x 6.4cm) . The Adolph and Esther D. Gottlieb Collection, 1989.51.51. Creative Commons-BY.

Headdress (Ci-wara Kun)

20th century

Bamana

Arts of Africa

In developing the costumes in her installation displayed here, Saya Woolfalk drew from hybrid animal masks such as this ci-wara headdress. Worn on the heads of male dancers, ci-wara headdresses are danced in pairs, often male and female, to symbolize the fertility of land and animals. Each headdress represents a composite of animals, such as antelopes or pangolins (strong, clawed mammals with a protective armor), that are metaphors for the successful farmer who tirelessly and efficiently tills his fields.
Maker/Artist
Bamana
Classification
(not assigned)
Formatted Medium
Wood, metal, pigment
Locations
Place made: Mali
Dimensions
11 x 22 1/4 x 2 1/2in. (27.9 x 56.5 x 6.4cm)
Departments
Arts of Africa
Accession Number
1989.51.51
Credit Line
The Adolph and Esther D. Gottlieb Collection
Rights Statement
Creative Commons-BY
Dominant Colors

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