Tribal Art

Statue Bamana (N° 23670)

Spectacular morphology for this African "little favourite" figure, Nyeleni in Bambara, whose feet disappear into a circular base. An angular, airy rhythm gives life to this statue. Brown nuanced and abraded patina, desication cracks.
The Bambara of central and southern Mali belong to the large Mande group, like the Soninke and the Malinke. They believe in the existence of a creator god generically called Ngala who maintains order in the universe. His existence coexists with another androgynous god called Faro, who gave all the qualities to men and who makes the fruits of the earth grow. Large masked parties close the initiation rites of the dyo association and the gwan ritual of the Bambara in the south of the Bambara country. Spread over a period of seven years for men, they are less demanding for women. The new initiates then celebrate, in groups, from village to village, their symbolic rebirth. It is the sons of the blacksmiths who dance around these statues that were placed outside the festivities grouped on an altar after having oiled and decorated them. Each effigy carried a message revealed to the initiates.