BAMANA, MALI

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Among the Bamana, important societal and religious ceremonies are infused with an element of humour and satire by the appearance of the monkey or baboon figure (n’gon). Arriving before other masqueraders, n’gon excites the audience with eccentric acts embodying inappropriate and uncontrolled behavior. As with other animal characters (antelope, hyena, or elephant), dancers of this mask draw inspiration for their movements from sensitive observations of the animal itself. The performance is accordingly chaotic, and the masker lunges amid the crowd, dealing out mockery and indulging in crude sexual gestures. The n’gon mask is also known to cause mischief in the greater village, sometimes trespassing into homes to steal food or other objects.

Alongside the hyena and the lion, the monkey or baboon completes the trio animal symbols associated with the Kore initiation society, a secret men’s group of the Bamana. Kore tradition guides young boys through an initiation school hidden in the bush, where they must pass a series of physical and mental tests and then symbolically die before being reborn as a man of the community. With their initiations complete, the men return to the village in the guise and character of the three animal masks.

This is a finely composed n’gon mask with strong, balanced proportions and lovely openwork presenting a projecting, skull-like design. The individually carved teeth and large eyes give this mask a special attitude and heighten its animalistic aura. In contrast with some other variations of the n’gon that are flatter and more abstract, this mask translates a mischievous simian character more naturalistically. Its surface is richly textured and earthy, rough with erosion and accumulated patina.

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