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African BAMBARA N'tomo Mask

COB104

  Lot # COB104
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  • Lot # COB104
  • System ID # 38272270
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Description

20th c Mali. Carved wood with metal mounts

36 x 15 x 11

N'tomo masks are used by BAMBARA people of West Africa.  There are six male initiation societies that young males must pass through before becoming a man. N'tomo Dyo is the first of these through which boys pass before their circumcision.  The mask represents the legendary ancestor of the Bambara and it is a symbol of protection.

The mask is made of wood and may be covered in shells, seeds or brass. The face maybe more or less abstract, but is always topped by a row of vertical projections.The number of spikes indicates whether the mask is masculine, feminine or androgynous.. Three, six or nine are male; four and eight are female; and two, five and seven are androgynous.The mask was also used at agricultural festivities and to prevent illness