{"product_id":"bambara-bamana-wooden-mask-mali-154768","title":"Bambara Bamana Wooden Mask Mali MATTER COLLECTION","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe Bamana, also known as Bambara, constitute one of the largest ethnic groups in their region. With agriculture at the core of their traditional way of life, Bamana society and art are deeply influenced by issues related to the natural cycles and the productivity of farmers. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAll Bamana males advance through various levels of initiation and secret knowledge, and the Kore mask appears for only the most senior of men, representing their personal struggle to achieve knowledge and wisdom. The symbolism of this mask identifies it as a Kore society mask combining human and animal features. Usually carved in secret by an elder before being given to the initiate. This mask was made from a single piece of wood.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003eBamana art is characterized by its use of geometric patterns and animalistic symbols, often carved or etched into wood, metal, or other materials. One of the most distinctive forms of Marka art is the mask, which is used in a variety of cultural and religious contexts.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003en’tomo\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e mask was used by dancers at male initiation ceremonies. The Ch\u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003ei wara\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan\u003e headdress was used at harvest time by young men chosen from the farmers' association. Today the Bamana are heavily Islamic, however, they often retain the use of masks and figures for ceremonies and rituals closely related to traditional ceremonies.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp data-is-only-node=\"\" data-is-last-node=\"\" data-end=\"1004\" data-start=\"745\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance: Matter Collection\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eFrom the collection of Margie and Phil Matter. Margie lived in South Africa, and later she and her husband Phil opened a gallery in Tucson. Everything in this collection was in their home for more than thirty years. Africa Direct recently bought the collection; at 95, Margie wants to share the things she has loved so much.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"Polaris-Box\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_ActivatorWrapper_1ivxc_74\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv id=\"PRODUCT.metafields.custom.height_in_-anchor\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_ActivatorButton_1ivxc_78\" aria-label=\"Edit Height (In) metafield\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_LegacyRowWrapper_1ivxc_4\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"_FormFieldLabelLegacy_1ivxc_38\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"Polaris-Text--root Polaris-Text--bodyMd\"\u003eHeight (In) 23.0\u003cbr\u003eWidth (In) 8.0\u003cbr\u003eDepth (In) 7.5\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e154768\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"sku 154000","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":51371463049511,"sku":"154768","price":350.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0826\/1015\/9911\/files\/IMG_1653_d024b1be-7f82-4dea-9b95-945d291b0067.jpg?v=1777993061","url":"https:\/\/africadirect.com\/products\/bambara-bamana-wooden-mask-mali-154768","provider":"Africa Direct","version":"1.0","type":"link"}