Chi Wara crest mask

Title: Chi Wara Crest Mask (Tyi Wara, “wild animal of work”)
Origin: Mali, Bamana (or Bambara) people, Mande Culture
Date: 20th century
Material: Carved wood, plant fibers, metal inserts, fabric/color applications (plumes and ornaments)
Dimensions: h. 97 x 39 x 8 cm
Function: The Chi Wara mask was worn during agricultural dances by members of an initiatory society dedicated to the myth of the “wild animal of work.” It represented the vital force that teaches men the art of cultivation. Worn over the head with a plant fiber costume, the mask appears in seasonal rituals to promote the fertility of the land and convey values of cooperation, discipline, and cultural continuity.
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