Mask - Bamana - Mali

Masks of the Kono association, which enforces civic morality, are elongated and could be encrusted with sacrificial material. The kono mask belonged to the village and were used in agricultural rituals, mostly to petition for a good harvest. They usually represent an animal head with long open snout and nose (symbolizing intuition and energy). Its prominent forehead (seat of knowledge) carries two long tapered ears standing in a V from the head, indicating the Kono man’s supernatural sense of hearing.
Kono mask are elegant and simple and are worn horizontally.

This mask is 114 cm long and 53/18 cm (top/bottom) wide; its weigth is 7 kg.

This mask is from the Lampevelden collection; see for further information by the photoos above