Chi Wara Figure
Bamana peoples, Mali
Chi Wara headdresses embody in their form and iconography some of the essential virtues that Bamana people associate with the agricultural life. The headdresses represent various bush animals that crystallise the qualities of champion farmers, most notably, the grace and strength of the dwarf and roan antelopes. During performances, dancers imitate the bounding leaps of the antelope to infuse agricultural work with energy and power