Antelope Tyi Wara - Bambara - Mali

The Ci Wara helmets, originating from the Bambara and Malinké societies of West Africa, notably in Mali, embody a deep agricultural and spiritual symbolism. These wooden sculptures, often stylized in the form of an antelope or a hybrid being, are carried during agricultural ceremonies to honor Ci, the spirit of agriculture, and Wara, the mythical animal associated with field fertility.
Their aesthetics, marked by clean lines and expressive geometry, reflect the harmony between human, animal, and earth. The Ci Wara helmets are not mere artistic objects: they are mediators between the visible world and the invisible forces that govern crop growth. Their ritual use, during dances and songs, underscores their central role in the perpetuation of traditional knowledge and social cohesion.

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Based in Belgium, our expert house and sales firm specializes in African and ethnographic art. A reference seller on Catawiki for more than 8 years, we enjoy a solid reputation and a track record of several hundred sales with an almost 100% customer satisfaction rate.

We regularly assist with liquidations, successions, and dispersals of collections, in collaboration with individuals and families in Belgium and neighboring countries. Our approach is rigorous, transparent, and accessible, with many sales offered without reserve.

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