Symbolism Of The Bamana Essay

This crest, created by the Mali; Bamana Peoples, is titled: Ci Wara (farming wild animal) dance crest. Bamana city-states were established in the 17th century and by the 19th century those against Islamized societies embraced Bamana views and values. Bamana people stressed the necessity for devoted labor in the production of crops. Carved in the eastern Bamana area near the city of Segou on the Niger River, this crest represents a female Oryx antelope with her male young on her back, similar to how human mothers would carry their children. The crest was worn in dances to ensure a good harvest, and to “guarantee the survival of the Bamana”. While women sing songs, around whoever is wearing the crest, about the ideal farmer; the dancer would
The pairing of the antelope crests actually represents the union between men and women to produce new generations, many crests are worn in male/female pairs, and between sun and earth to produce new crops. This crest would have been quite valuable to historians because it exhibits the Bamana connection to wildlife and harvest. This artwork is simplistic and, just by seeing it, its animal representation can be inferred. The crest, which is dark and has sharp edges, features one antelope with a smooth back, the mother, and one with a sharp back, the child/calf. It is clear that the calf is the second antelope because of its size and how its “fur” is jutting out; antelope calves have fur that stands up slightly while adults have smooth fur. Unfortunately the amount of information that can be acquired past deep thought, inference, and the given information is limited. Though the Bamana peoples’ connection to animals and nature is clear, without the information provided it is unknown that this crest would have been worn in dance. The Ci Wara dance crest offers historians a glimpse into the daily lives and rituals of the Bamana