Cimier Tywara / Chi wara - Bambara - Mali
02
days
17
hours
45
minutes
21
seconds
Current bid
€ 31
Reserve price not met
Expert
Selected by Dimitri André
Holds a postgraduate degree in African studies and 15 years experience in African art.
Estimate € 150 - € 200
 | €31 | |
|---|---|---|
| €25 | |
 | €20 |
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This original Bambara Chi Wara crest from Mali is made of wood and fabric and is mounted on its fabric stand.
AI-assisted summary
Description from the seller
Mali
Bambara
Wood
Height: 230mm
Width: 180mm
Length: 510mm
Weight: 700g
This piece is a Chi Wara crest (often spelled Tyi Wara or Ci Wara) of the Bambara (or Bamanan) people of Mali.
It is a stylistic variant representing a quadruped (often associated with the oryx or a composite animal blending antelope and the pangolin/scaly anteater, depending on the region of Mali), mounted on its original fabric-woven (kasa) support.
Here is the detailed analysis of its origin, use and symbolic function:
1. Origin and Foundational Myth
Among the Bambara, the Chi Wara embodies a mythic figure half-man, half-animal:
• The farming myth: According to tradition, Chi Wara is the civilizing hero half-man, half-antelope who taught humans farming by teaching them to work the soil with a hoe (daba).
• Etymology: The term Chi Wara literally means “the falcon (or the worker) of the earth” (ci = work, wara = wild animal/beast).
2. Use and Ritual Contexts
• The farming societies (Somo or associations of ploughmen): The crests are not isolated objects; they are mounted on a wicker or fabric cap (as seen on the base of your piece with the traditional fabric) and worn by the best dancers of the community.
• The ploughing competitions (Cori): Chi Wara dances take place outdoors in the fields, during weeding rituals and seasonal agricultural work. The dancers, accompanied by musicians and singers, perform paired choreographies (the male and the female) imitating the graceful leaps of the antelope to stimulate the vitality of the earth and encourage young farmers to redouble their efforts.
3. Symbolic and Formal Function
• The union of Earth and Sky (or water and fire):
• The long majestic horns projecting backward symbolize the sun’s passage or the pursuit of height and rain.
• The horizontal position of the animal’s body and its anchored legs recall the nurturing earth.
• Fertility and prosperity: This abstract and pared-down art honors the fertility of the land as much as that of the people. The loops, rings and the sculpture’s dynamics convey the vital energy (nyama) needed to obtain good millet harvests and ensure the village’s survival.
The objects are shipped with a tracking number.
Delivery in France by Chronopost in 1 to 2 days. Delivery within the European Union by Chronopost International in 3 to 5 days. Delivery by Colissimo International for the rest of Europe and for the entire World.
We speak english.
Seller's Story
Passionate about World Arts and more specifically about African Art, we buy from collectors, former officials, military, health workers, public works staff who have worked in Africa and also in Côte d'Ivoire, from antique dealers and traders who roam across West Africa to find quality objects.
It is with pride that we present works that, beyond their power to beautify spaces, invite our collectors to resonate with the richness and depth of human expression through the most authentic art.
At Arts Ethniques Gallery, we have the privilege of offering our visitors an exclusive selection of artworks, all unique and original. Each piece presented is the outcome of a demanding artistic approach, driven by a singular vision and mastered craftsmanship, all elements that guarantee authenticity and value.
The works we offer are not industrial reproductions. They are individual creations, crafted with sensitivity and precision, each bearing its own story, identity and presence. Originality is the very foundation of our commitment to excellence. Thus, every mask and every statue in our collection is the subject of a rigorous selection, in order to preserve their rarity and singularity.
Acquiring a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery means owning a truly unique piece: a creation that embodies both talent, cultural memory and the expressive force of African art. It is also a lasting investment in a work whose artistic and emotional value transcends time.
We guarantee that every work leaving our gallery is an authentic piece, without replicas, bearing witness to the creativity, heritage and passion of the African artists who shaped them.
We invite you to participate in our gallery’s auctions with confidence. Each presented work is an original, unique and irreplaceable creation, selected with the greatest rigor to guarantee its authenticity and artistic value.
Whether you wish to enrich a personal collection or introduce an exceptional artwork into your space, Arts Ethniques Gallery offers a safe, transparent and professional setting to acquire remarkable pieces.
Art auctions are a privileged moment to discover rare works, capable of becoming the heart of a collection. Acquiring a work at our sales is not just buying an object: it is investing in a creation whose aesthetic value and cultural reach reinforce over time.
The pieces presented by Arts Ethniques Gallery testify not only to the talent and vision of the artists but also possess the ability to transform spaces and enrich the gaze of those who behold them.
Participating in our auctions is taking part in a singular experience, where the passion for art meets the rigors of collecting. Bidding on a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery goes beyond a simple transaction: it is a gesture of commitment and appreciation for art in its most authentic form.
We invite you to bid with passion and to join us in this adventure dedicated to discovery, transmission and celebration of art.
Perhaps your next heart piece is already waiting for you."
Translated by Google TranslateMali
Bambara
Wood
Height: 230mm
Width: 180mm
Length: 510mm
Weight: 700g
This piece is a Chi Wara crest (often spelled Tyi Wara or Ci Wara) of the Bambara (or Bamanan) people of Mali.
It is a stylistic variant representing a quadruped (often associated with the oryx or a composite animal blending antelope and the pangolin/scaly anteater, depending on the region of Mali), mounted on its original fabric-woven (kasa) support.
Here is the detailed analysis of its origin, use and symbolic function:
1. Origin and Foundational Myth
Among the Bambara, the Chi Wara embodies a mythic figure half-man, half-animal:
• The farming myth: According to tradition, Chi Wara is the civilizing hero half-man, half-antelope who taught humans farming by teaching them to work the soil with a hoe (daba).
• Etymology: The term Chi Wara literally means “the falcon (or the worker) of the earth” (ci = work, wara = wild animal/beast).
2. Use and Ritual Contexts
• The farming societies (Somo or associations of ploughmen): The crests are not isolated objects; they are mounted on a wicker or fabric cap (as seen on the base of your piece with the traditional fabric) and worn by the best dancers of the community.
• The ploughing competitions (Cori): Chi Wara dances take place outdoors in the fields, during weeding rituals and seasonal agricultural work. The dancers, accompanied by musicians and singers, perform paired choreographies (the male and the female) imitating the graceful leaps of the antelope to stimulate the vitality of the earth and encourage young farmers to redouble their efforts.
3. Symbolic and Formal Function
• The union of Earth and Sky (or water and fire):
• The long majestic horns projecting backward symbolize the sun’s passage or the pursuit of height and rain.
• The horizontal position of the animal’s body and its anchored legs recall the nurturing earth.
• Fertility and prosperity: This abstract and pared-down art honors the fertility of the land as much as that of the people. The loops, rings and the sculpture’s dynamics convey the vital energy (nyama) needed to obtain good millet harvests and ensure the village’s survival.
The objects are shipped with a tracking number.
Delivery in France by Chronopost in 1 to 2 days. Delivery within the European Union by Chronopost International in 3 to 5 days. Delivery by Colissimo International for the rest of Europe and for the entire World.
We speak english.
Seller's Story
Passionate about World Arts and more specifically about African Art, we buy from collectors, former officials, military, health workers, public works staff who have worked in Africa and also in Côte d'Ivoire, from antique dealers and traders who roam across West Africa to find quality objects.
It is with pride that we present works that, beyond their power to beautify spaces, invite our collectors to resonate with the richness and depth of human expression through the most authentic art.
At Arts Ethniques Gallery, we have the privilege of offering our visitors an exclusive selection of artworks, all unique and original. Each piece presented is the outcome of a demanding artistic approach, driven by a singular vision and mastered craftsmanship, all elements that guarantee authenticity and value.
The works we offer are not industrial reproductions. They are individual creations, crafted with sensitivity and precision, each bearing its own story, identity and presence. Originality is the very foundation of our commitment to excellence. Thus, every mask and every statue in our collection is the subject of a rigorous selection, in order to preserve their rarity and singularity.
Acquiring a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery means owning a truly unique piece: a creation that embodies both talent, cultural memory and the expressive force of African art. It is also a lasting investment in a work whose artistic and emotional value transcends time.
We guarantee that every work leaving our gallery is an authentic piece, without replicas, bearing witness to the creativity, heritage and passion of the African artists who shaped them.
We invite you to participate in our gallery’s auctions with confidence. Each presented work is an original, unique and irreplaceable creation, selected with the greatest rigor to guarantee its authenticity and artistic value.
Whether you wish to enrich a personal collection or introduce an exceptional artwork into your space, Arts Ethniques Gallery offers a safe, transparent and professional setting to acquire remarkable pieces.
Art auctions are a privileged moment to discover rare works, capable of becoming the heart of a collection. Acquiring a work at our sales is not just buying an object: it is investing in a creation whose aesthetic value and cultural reach reinforce over time.
The pieces presented by Arts Ethniques Gallery testify not only to the talent and vision of the artists but also possess the ability to transform spaces and enrich the gaze of those who behold them.
Participating in our auctions is taking part in a singular experience, where the passion for art meets the rigors of collecting. Bidding on a work from Arts Ethniques Gallery goes beyond a simple transaction: it is a gesture of commitment and appreciation for art in its most authentic form.
We invite you to bid with passion and to join us in this adventure dedicated to discovery, transmission and celebration of art.
Perhaps your next heart piece is already waiting for you."
Translated by Google TranslateDetails
Indigenous object name
Cimier Tywara / Chi wara
Ethnic group/ culture
Bambara
Country of Origin
Mali
Material
Wood / fabrics
Sold with stand
Yes
Condition
Good condition
Authenticity
Original/official
Sold by
