Head

Object Details

Bamana artist

Label Text

Made in the area between Bamako and Bougouni, the Bamana Jo society elephant head is part of a stationary initiation house that simulates an elephant's body. It is not a mask or puppet but part of a temporary plant based structure.that is destroyed after use. It is meant to reveal inner truths, help initiates interpret important visions and connect with nyama, the spiritual and physical force.

Description

Wood head in the form of an elephant head with a short shelf-like mouth and two short inward curving tusks, backward extending rectangular ears and a straight trunk.

Published References

Arnoldi, Mary Jo and Kate Ezra. 1992. "Sama Ba." Elephant: The Animal and Its Ivory in African Culture. ed. by Doran Ross. Los Angeles: Fowler Museum of Cultural History, p. 110, no. 5-13.

Content Statement

As part of our commitment to accessibility and transparency, the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art is placing its collection records online. Please note that some records are incomplete (missing image or content descriptions) and others reflect out-of-date language or systems of thought regarding how to engage with and discuss cultural heritage and the specifics of individual artworks. If you see content requiring immediate action, we will do our best to address it in a timely manner. Please email nmafacuratorial@si.edu if you have any questions.

Image Requests

High resolution digital images are not available for some objects. For publication quality photography and permissions, please contact the Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives at https://africa.si.edu/research/eliot-elisofon-photographic-archives/

Credit Line

Gift of Walt Disney World Co., a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company

Early to mid-20th century

Object number

2005-6-253

Restrictions & Rights

Usage conditions apply

Type

Sculpture

Medium

Wood

Dimensions

H x W x D: 135.4 x 20 x 37 cm (53 5/16 x 7 7/8 x 14 9/16 in.)

Geography

Mali

See more items in

National Museum of African Art Collection

Object Name

sama kun

National Museum of African Art

Topic

elephant

Initiation

male

Record ID

nmafa_2005-6-253

Metadata Usage (text)

Usage conditions apply

GUID (Link to Original Record)

http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/ys794d7692e-bd2c-4a20-ba32-5afac97a0360