N'Domo mask - Bambara - Mali

The N'Domo is the first true initiation society that provides children with a simple but comprehensive education on all religious, agricultural, social, economic, and other aspects of their society through activities of all kinds. According to myth, the promoter of the N'Domo was the ancestor of humanity, Noun Fayiri, who created it to initiate children into the mysteries of the world and life. The N'Domo mask represents the image of man as he came from the hands of God and usually has a bulging forehead, crowned by seven braids (Turu), a high, long nose, and a tubular mouth, totally or partially encrusted with cowrie shells. The mask in the collection comes from the Si-Ânro or Saro region and has a statuette (Yiri Maani, 'little wooden person') representing Fâro on its forehead, surrounded by braids and framed by the six braids encrusted with cowrie shells.

Provenance: Berthe Hartert
Argiles collection, Barcelona