Janus Warka Helmet Mask with Cut Cowry Shells and Lizards

Origin: Bambarra Tribe, Mali
Composition: wood (one piece), cowry shells, cotton tassels

This two-sided mask is an exceptional, highly collectible piece which is likely connected with one of the different Bamana male initiation societies such as the Kono, Jo, Ndomo and Kore societies, which utilize masks for a wide range of uses; for teaching proverbs, illustrating oral history and stories, and enacting complex masquerades.

The 2,500,000 Bambarra people, also called Bamana, form the largest ethnic group within Mali and occupy the central part of the country, in an area of savannah. They live principally from agriculture, with some subsidiary cattle rearing in the northern part of their territory. The Bambarra people are predominantly animists, although recently the Muslim faith has been spreading among them. The Bambarra kingdom was founded in the 17th century and reached its pinnacle between 1760 and 1787 during the reign of N’golo Diarra. N’golo Diarra is credited with conquering the Peul people and in turn claimed the cities of Djenne and Timbuktu. However, during the 19th century, the kingdom began to decline and ultimately fell to the French when they arrived in 1892.

For the most part, Bambarra society is structured around six male societies, known as de Dyow (sing. Dyo) (Bacquart,  Tribal Arts of Africa). The cut cowry shells have historically represented wealth or prosperity; different angles of the mask provide different feelings, the result of careful design and the always interesting two-sided element of the piece. The remnants of ashes in the small cup atop the piece allude to its use. This piece was purchased from the private collection of Ousman Camara, a Malian art dealer who dealt African art in Paris for more than 40 years. It has been custom mounted for display and preservation.