Janus Nanfari Mask in Bronze

Origin: Bamana Tribe, Mali
Composition: lost wax-cast bronze
Age: 19th century

This mask, while stylistically different from most Bamana masks, still falls within the Bamana style. The nose, mouth, and planes of the faces suggest that it comes from areas where the initiation associations called Jo and Gwan are found. While information on this mask is extremely limited, we may tentatively surmise it belongs to the Jo association, and possibly the Gwan association as well.

The Jo association is divided internally into several age grades, the most senior of which can be entered at the age of 36. Jo association leaders are chosen from the senior age group, and one of the most important leaders is Nanfari, which is also the name of an esoteric ritual object in his charge. This ritual object possesses tremendous supernatural power, and is used for swearing oaths. The official called Nanfari is also very important: he has ritual roles at funerals, and he oversees and protects new initiates into the association during their induction ceremonies.

The Jo is one of the Bamana initiation associations that undertakes public performances, and when they do, the Nanfari is a prominent dancer, so much so that he is called 'decoration' for the association.

When dancing, the Nanfari wore a cotton cloth costume dyed red with painted designs in black. A hood with eye holes topped with porcupine quills and feathers covered his head.

In addition to the concept of past and future, the Janiform image in African cultures also deals with the dualities of beginnings and endings, dark and light, male and female, beauty and ugliness, and innocence and wisdom.

In addition to coming from an important collection, this piece has been evaluated by a world-renowned metal-worker as definitively coming from the 19th century.

Please contact us to inquire about this piece at (415) 362-6601 or info@sujaro.com.