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Description

Antelope headdress. Four legged animal-like figure on oval-shaped base with upright tail attached by metal pins to an elongated head with two linear grooves around the front sides of the pointed end. Two small orange tassels are attached to each side of the back of the head. The top part of the head is dome-shaped with a thin frontal extension and decorated with a small orange-coloured tassel attached to the top of the front end. At the back of the head, three long pieces extend length-wise, curve slightly upwards and join together at a point. Each is decorated with spiral designs.

History Of Use

Chi Wara (or Tyi Wara, etc.) headdresses are made to be danced as a pair (male and female) at harvest festivals to honour Chi Wara, a half human half antelope mythical being who taught agriculture to the ancestors of the Bamana people. The headdresses embody the ingredients necessary for successful cultivation, their long horns representing the tall growth of millet. The headdress is attached to a wicker cap, which is strapped around the chin of a dancer.

Iconographic Meaning

The headdresses are inspired by antelopes, armoured pangolins, and aardvarks. The antelope head represents the strength and grace needed to farm. The armoured pangolin's body represents protection, and the aardvark's legs represent good digging needed for farming. The male Chi Wara headdress represents the sun, while the female one represents the earth. The long horns represent the tall growth of millet. The fibre ties of the wicker cap, that the headdress would have been attached to, are associated with streams of water.

Specific Techniques

The wood is oiled and then charred in fire to deepen the colour.