Kono Forehead Mask

Origin: Bambarra Tribe, Mali
Composition: wood (one piece), textile, natural materials/ritual accumulation

Kono is one of several powerful Bambarra initiation societies (jow), whose authority rests in secret knowledge, ritual acts and objects, and great spiritual energy known as nyama, which is capable of influencing the forces of nature. In addition to ensuring the fertility of the fields and people, kono's tasks include jurisdiction and warding off sorcerers.

The society's masks, worn during initiations of new members, exhibit lucid stylized forms and are covevred by an encrustation of organic materials. Kono masks are meant to represent both a bird and an elephant, the former standing for the human spirit, and the latter for intelligence. The large ears allude to the fact that Kono initiates are expected to learn to listen to their "inward voice." During initiation rites, the dancer appears in a feather-covered costume and accompanies his dance notes steps with shrill notes played on a reed whistle.

Kono masks are kept in distinct community shrines that also house boli altar pieces. The pieces are offered libations in these shrines, to add to their nyama, which accounts for their thick patina. The wide range of esoteric, earthly, and spiritually charged materials that are offered to Kono masks include wood, bark, tree roots, vegetable matter, honey, metal, dirt, beer, chewed and expectorated kola nuts, milet, hair, and blood.

SUJARO collected this mask while on a field collecting trip in Burkina Faso in 2006. It is carved from one piece of wood and is a museum-quality, spectacular mask.

References: Bacquart, The Tribal Arts of Africa, 1998. Stepan, Spirits Speak, 2005. Visona, A History of Art in Africa, 2007.