Title: Bamana Wandje Fetish Date/Period: 19th CenturyMaterials/Origin: organic &inorganic materials/ Mali, AfricaDimension: 15in X7in X10inDescription: Bamanan artworks were created both for religious use and to define cultural and religious differences. Most fascinating is the category of ritual objects called bowli that constitute the Bamanan judicial structure. Bowli exists at many levels, the best known are those belonging to male secret initiation associations (called Komo or Kono). Activated with enormous power and mysterious to the uninitiated eye, bowli are safely handled only by those association members equipped with the rarest skills and expertise. The main function of a Bowli is to increase, and control, the natural life force called nyámà. This is necessary for the spiritual needs of the community. For the Bamana nyámà is primarily a naturally occurring force. The universe is filled with various invisible powers: spirits or djinns, dwarves, ghosts, ancestors, and nyámà. Bamana believes that the bowli can execute offenders because they assemble in one dense, compact object the poisons the Bamana most fear, namely the human and animal excrement used to create their exterior shell. The oath sworn at initiation to the secret men’s association makes direct reference to the power of excrement and hints at its incorporation into bowli.
Reserve: $900.00
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