Chiwara Statue – Djoliba
$850
A Chiwara antelope statue, hand-carved in Mali in the Bamana style and mounted on its original raffia headdress.
This Chiwara’s mane is carved as a fan of curved spikes rather than a regular sawtooth, giving it a looser, flowing outline. Incised dot and chevron patterns cover the deep-toned head and ears, beaded loops hang from the ears and snout, and the woven basketry cap sits within a full raffia fringe with a few cowrie shells.
Made in: Mali
Material: Carved wood on a woven basketry cap, with raffia fringe, cowrie shells and beads.
Dimensions (L x H): 30cm x 102cm
Only 1 left in stock
Description
About Chiwara statues
Chiwara, also written Ci Wara or Tyi Wara, is the antelope figure of the Bamana people of Mali. In Bamana belief, Chiwara is the being who first taught people to farm, and carved Chiwara headdresses were danced at planting and harvest time to honour the hardest-working farmers.
The carving was fixed to a woven basketry cap and worn on top of the dancer’s head, with raffia fibre hanging down to cover the face and body. This statue still has its original cap and raffia attached, along with the cowrie shells and beadwork added to it.
FAQs
What do the shapes on a Chiwara represent?
Readings vary between regions and carvers. The long horns are often linked to the growth of millet, and the zigzag openwork of the mane to the path of the sun across the sky. The fine incised lines and dots over the head and body are part of the carver’s own decoration.
Were Chiwara made in male and female pairs?
Chiwara were traditionally danced in pairs. The female figure is usually carved with straight horns and often carries a young antelope on her back, while the male has a tall openwork mane. Each of our Chiwara statues is sold individually.
How do I look after a Chiwara statue?
Keep it indoors, out of direct sunlight and away from damp. The raffia, cloth and basketry are more fragile than the wood, so lift the statue by the carved body rather than the horns or the fringe, and dust it gently with a soft, dry brush.
Do you have other African carvings?
Yes. Alongside our African statues, we carry hand-carved masks and Senufo stools from across West Africa.
Additional information
| Weight | 3.5 kg |
|---|---|
| Dimensions | 1 × 1 × 1 cm |
