Mask

Description

The Ban-mana, Ban: denial and mana, Master, that is, those who refused to be dominated, more commonly known under the name of bambara that gave them the European colonizers, they are especially dialect, derived from the Mandingo language, an important part of other ethnic groups in Mali. Indeed the popularity of the Bambara dialect is such that the casual observer might think that it is the predominant ethnic Bambara in Mali. Also gives the illusion that the absolute predominance of the group Bambara also comes from the fact that in general and Muslims in particular Toucouleurs refer to as bambaran-Kobe (the Bambara) all non-Mohammedans of Mali. It is true that the Bambara themselves are very numerous at the meeting point across, even in Senegal, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Mauritania and Ivory Coast, Mali and they are the largest ethnic group important. The great mass of Bambara, whose geographical area extends from the center east and west of Mali, is divided between the regions of Segou and Niono (central Niger delta), the Bélédougou (circle Kolokani north of Bamako) bordering the Sahel, Kaarta, straddling circles Kita, south and north and Nioro circles Koulikoro, Dioïla, Banamba, Bougouni, Yanfolila, Kolondiéba and Sikasso.  The ethnic Bambara or Bamana is the most important of Mali, West Africa Sub-Saharan. The Bambara tribe had its glory in the early seventeenth century, when Kaladian Koulibary brings many tribes clashed, and founded the empire of Segou, dominating the whole curve of the river Niger. Bambara masks represent various manifestations of Faro, the creator god and guide of the universe, who gave all the qualities to men and who grows the fruit of the earth. So the mask is directly involved in the ceremonies, and its power is still alive. He made offerings and sacrifices, and even is buried in a certain rite, when its intermediary function has finished, and it loses its sanctity. But Falo, although it is monitoring, does not interfere in the actions of men, and commanded the Dyo they lead men to perfection, and that way we can ensure the order of universe.