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Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
Head Crest Mask (Chi Wara Kun)
Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
© Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami. All rights reserved.

Head Crest Mask (Chi Wara Kun)

Artist/Maker (Mali)
Dateca. 1960
Mediumwood, metal, cowrie shells, cotton, and plant fiber
DimensionsOverall: 46 1/2 x 11 3/8 x 7 1/2 in. (118.1 x 28.9 x 19.1 cm)
ClassificationsCostumes and Accessories
Credit LineGift of Professor and Mrs. Robert R. Ferens
Terms
    Object number91.0056
    DescriptionIn Bamana mythology Chi Wara is a creature born of the union between a woman who was the first human and a snake. Chi Wara used his claws and a pointed stick to cultivate the earth, turning wild grasses into grain. He taught his technique to humans. His image is that of an antelope often combined with creatures associated with the earth such as lizards or aardvarks. Members of an organization of young men associated with agriculture wear the headdress.
    On View
    Not on view
    Collections
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Bamana people
    20th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Bamana people
    early 20th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Bamana people
    ca. 1920-1940
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Bamana people
    early 20th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Bamana people
    collected between 1960-1973
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Bamana people
    early 20th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Bamana people
    20th century
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Nigeria, Igbo people
    not dated
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Bamana people
    not dated
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Olmec
    ca. 1500-400 BCE
    Collection of the Lowe Art Museum, University of Miami
    Dan people
    20th century