{"id":2152,"date":"2012-06-06T08:04:13","date_gmt":"2012-06-06T06:04:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.daltonsomare.com\/?p=2152"},"modified":"2026-10-08T13:41:42","modified_gmt":"2026-10-08T11:41:42","slug":"headdress-bamana-mali","status":"publish","type":"opera","link":"https:\/\/www.daltonsomare.com\/en\/work-of-art\/headdress-bamana-mali\/","title":{"rendered":"Headdress, Bamana, Mali"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Early 20th century
\nWood and fiber
\n85.5 cm<\/p>\n

Provenance<\/h2>\n

Private Collection, Roosendaal, 1970
\nBy descent<\/p>\n

Exhibitions<\/h2>\n

BRAFA Art Fair, Brussels, 2025
\nParcours des Mondes, Paris, 2024<\/p>\n

\n

Bamana art and agricultural symbolism<\/h2>\n

The Chi Wara headdress is one of the most iconic expressions of African Art<\/strong><\/a> from Mali, deeply connected to agriculture and community life. These sculptures celebrate the importance of farming and the harmony between human beings and nature.<\/p>\n

Headdresses were worn by dancers during agricultural ceremonies linked to planting and harvest. Male figures represent the sun, while female figures symbolize the earth. Water, the third essential element, is evoked through the fiber costumes worn by dancers. Together, they embody the antelope spirit, a mythical figure credited with teaching agriculture to humanity.<\/p>\n

This example stands out for its elegance and dynamism, depicting a female figure with her child. The elongated neck, curved lines and upright horns convey grace, balance and vitality.<\/p>\n

As in Bamana tradition, representation is not naturalistic but based on geometric abstraction and formal clarity. The clean surfaces and refined details highlight the artistic skill behind the work.<\/p>\n

Through dance and ritual presence, these headdresses transmitted symbolic energy to ensure agricultural success. Today, Chi Wara sculptures are among the most appreciated forms of African Art in international collections.<\/p>\n

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Further reading<\/h3>\n

African Art Highlights<\/a>
\nAfrican Art Collection Archive<\/a>
\nAfrican Art in Italy<\/a>
\nAfrican Art publications<\/a>
\ninternational exhibitions<\/p>\n

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Related Sculptures<\/h3>\n