Head

Made in the area between Bamako and Bougouni, the Bamana Jo society elephant head is part of a stationary initiation house that simulates an elephant's body. It is not a mask or puppet but part of a temporary plant based structure.that is destroyed after use. It is meant to reveal inner truths, help initiates interpret important visions and connect with nyama, the spiritual and physical force.

Wood head in the form of an elephant head with a short shelf-like mouth and two short inward curving tusks, backward extending rectangular ears and a straight trunk.

Arnoldi, Mary Jo and Kate Ezra. 1992. "Sama Ba." Elephant: The Animal and Its Ivory in African Culture. ed. by Doran Ross. Los Angeles: Fowler Museum of Cultural History, p. 110, no. 5-13.

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