Male Ci Wara Crest [Bamana]

(Form) Abstract Style

Mixture of Antelope (antlers), Aardvark (snout and ears), Pangolin (spikes)—all symbolize farming

(Context) Why the animals?

Want farmers to work like animals represented—primordial being

(Form) Blacksmith (numuw)

Produce headdress out of solid mass of wood

(Function) Has to be performed

Worn in ceremony that depicts interaction, worn on a basketry cap, rest of figure is covered by raffia (want to disguise human)

(Content) Four-legged

Mimic front legs with sticks

(Context) Who is it performed by?

Most athletic young male dancer

(Context) How is it performed?

Performer mimics sharp cries and bends over (a good farmer doesn’t need rest)

(Context) Wara

Generic term for wild beast

(Content) How to distinguish the male?

Jagged mane, represents sun, long protrusion 

(Function) Influence

Determines health of farming/crops, celebrated once a year

(Context) Myth

A creature of the wild taught mankind how to cultivate fields

(Conext) Ci

Mande word for farming 

(Context) Wara

Generic term for wild beast

(Function) Ci Wara Masquerades

Celebrate agricultural skills of young farmers, bent over like a farmer hoeing ground continually, female partners praise them