This is a beautiful Chi Wara Male Headdress from the Bamana People of Mali. Among the Bamana, oral traditions credit a mythical being named Chi Wara, a divine being half mortal and half animal, with the introduction of agriculture to the Bamana. These headdresses, also called Chi Wara, are carved to honor that original mythical being. Under Chi Wara's guidance, humans first learned to cultivate the land and became prosperous and able farmers. When humans gradually became careless and wasteful, however, Chi Wara is said to have buried himself in the earth. To honor Chi Wara's memory, the Bamana created a boli, a power object in which his spirit could reside, and carved headdresses such as this to represent him. Chi Wara headdresses combine antelope features with those of other animals that are significant within Bamana culture. A wonderful addition to your home or collection.
