Ntomo / Ntomokum mask - Bambara - Mali
African Mask of Ntomo cult of Bambara - Primitive Art
It is an African mask of the Ntomo cult with a human face that the elders wear during ceremonies. Ntomokum is the centerpiece of bilakoros (uncircumcised children). This mask is surmounted by horns that indicate the different human characteristics. The masks surmounted by four horns represent the female sex. The male mask has three horns. The six-horned male mask symbolizes the six senses of man necessary to know the world.
The seven-horned mask represents male and female duality and, by extension, marriage. N'tomo society is the first of the six main companies or initiation stages in Bambara. In Ntomo society, children learn about the origin of man and his place in the world.
This traditional mask was acquired by a collector after our art gallery, the reference in Belgium.
Origin : private collection V. Briard, FranceDating : 1960'sSize : 49 x 15Materials : wood, shells
00386
Data sheet
- Presumed dating
- Mid XXth century
- Size
- Ethnic group
- Material(s)
- Wood
- Country
- Origin
- Tribal art collection France
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African Mask of Ntomo cult of Bambara - Primitive Art
It is an African mask of the Ntomo cult with a human face that the elders wear during ceremonies. Ntomokum is the centerpiece of bilakoros (uncircumcised children). This mask is surmounted by horns that indicate the different human characteristics. The masks surmounted by four horns represent the female sex. The male mask has three horns. The six-horned male mask symbolizes the six senses of man necessary to know the world.
The seven-horned mask represents male and female duality and, by extension, marriage. N'tomo society is the first of the six main companies or initiation stages in Bambara. In Ntomo society, children learn about the origin of man and his place in the world.
This traditional mask was acquired by a collector after our art gallery, the reference in Belgium.
Origin : private collection V. Briard, FranceDating : 1960'sSize : 49 x 15Materials : wood, shells