Komo Society Mask, late 19th-early 20th century
Bamana people; Mali
Wood, porcupine quill, horn, mud and sacrificial material; 14 ½ x 10 ½ x 20 in.
F77.21.15
Gift of Dr. and Mrs. Philip Keeve
Primarily agriculturalists, the Bamana people of Mali number about 1.5 million people. Agriculture plays an important role in their religion, evident in the various animal forms and materials that appear in their masks. Bambara religion is mainly fulfilled through the six initiatory societies, the N’domo, Komo, Nama, Kono, Tyiwara and Koré, all of which involve the usage of masks.
Pictured above is a Komo society mask, used in the second of the successive initiations that include masked dancers and sacrifices presented at the society’s altars. The purpose of Komo initiation is to commence the spirit of knowledge; to reveal to the Bamana boys self-knowledge and the advancement of personal qualities. The Bamana refer to the masks as komo kun, meaning “head of the Komo,” however more specific and individual names are also given to differentiate their special abilities. Common characteristics found in the majority of Komo masks include bird feathers and quills, porcupine quills, antelope horns, and mouths shaped similarly to those of a hyena. The hyena jaws give emphasis to the animal’s power and force, seen as symbol of knowledge. The masked dancers wear the Komo masks on the top of their heads, instead of in front of the face, and express their power through exhaling columns of embers or phosphorescent material. Other supernatural rituals are also practiced during the initiation with the goal to nurture balance in the community.
The Bamana continue through the other initiation societies with the belief that by pursuing demands of their religion they can surpass death and become achieve godliness.
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