Chi Wara headdress

unrecorded Bamana artist, artist

Chi Wara headdress, early-mid 1900s

Where object was made: Mali

Material/technique: wood; staining; carving

Dimensions:
Object Height/Width/Length (Height x Width x Length): 105.5 x 9.5 x 32 cm height does not include second base
Object Height/Width/Length (Height x Width x Length): 41 9/16 x 3 3/4 x 12 5/8 in

Credit line: Gift of Larry W. Welling

Accession number: 2007.2804

Not on display

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Label texts

Exhibition Label:
"For Life's Sake: Arts from Africa," Oct-1983, Reinhild Kauenhoven Janzen
According to Bamana mythology the Tyi Wara (also spelled Chi Wara or Ci Wara) is a supernatural being, half man, half antelope, who taught men how to farm. The dance of the Tyi Wara is usually performed at the beginning of the planting season and again at harvest time, always by a male and a female carved crest, complete with masking costume. Its purpose is to encourage men to be good farmers and to honor those who are. The image of a small animal supported by a large animal usually connotes motherhood, and fertility in general. Perforations in noses and ears would have been decorated with colored string, metal rings. The dancer wears the Tyi Wara image securely tied to a fringed basketry cap which is, in turn, fastened to his head. Two different regional styles are represented in these two crests.