Full-length zoomorphic statue

Title: Full-Length Zoomorphic Statue
Ethnicity: Bwa
Geographical Area: Burkina Faso / Mali
Materials: Wood, natural pigments (white, red, yellow)
Dimensions: H. 125 x 32 x 35 cm
Function: This type of Bwa mask is worn during public ceremonies, agrarian festivals, and rites of passage. Unlike masks worn on the face, the worn masks were attached to the body or carried by multiple people, giving them a monumental stage presence. The figure of the bird symbolizes the totemic spirit and messenger between heaven and earth, as well as protection of the community and the fertility of the land.
Condition: Good. Abrasions and a fracture at the base are evident, consistent with the work’s age and ritual use.
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