Bamana people, Mali

22 inches, painted wood

Characterized by multiple horns and, sometimes, eyelashes and white shell ornamentation, these masks are instantly recognizable. Bamana N’tomo masks serve to protect young boys during their first initiation cycle before circumcision. This style of N’Tomo mask with the head of the woman in front of the horns is located to the region of Bougouni in Mali. The number of horns make reference to specific characteristics of males (three or six horns) or females (four or eight horns) and the androgynous (two, five or seven). It would be danced by mature men to protect the boys and it would also be worn by the boys as they would dance and test one another.

Similar masks are associated with different Bamana (or Bambara) men’s groups, which include Kore, Komo, Kono,Jo, as well as Ntomo. Styles vary by region, plus there are masks from the Marka, Malinke and Bozo peoples living in the same area that can be easily mistaken for Bamana.

$750