Bambara cosmogony and social reproduction; the Chiwara mask

In the beginning

The Chiwara is perhaps one of the most easily recognisable African zoomorphic masks. Although people typically see it in museums and furniture stores, it was first created to celebrate farmers. Nowadays the Chiwara is also used to celebrate hard work and effort in all walks of life.

Bambaras view the roan antelope as a sacred animal that possesses wisdom and strength, qualities essential for successful farming. In fact, this belief permeates all aspects of their social life.

According to legend, Chiwara is the therianthropic figure with the head and hooves of an antelope that taught the Bambara how to farm. It used its antlers to clear and till the earth. Then with its hooves, it seeded and covered it. Humans copied exactly what the Chiwara had done. That year, the harvest was bountiful. There was enough food for everyone to eat for a long time. The Chiwara expected human beings to copy its example year after year. However, there was so much food to eat that humans became cocky and complacent. Furious, Chiwara buried itself in the ground and has never been seen again since.

As can be expected, the Bambara people recognised their mistake when the seasons changed and harvests plummeted. They vowed to change their ways and value hard work. An altar was made in Chiwara’s honour and the first Chiwara masks were developed to embody the spirit of the antelope, a reminder of the importance of hard work and diligence in agriculture. The full name of the Chiwara mask is Tyi wara kun (Bamanakan for "head of the animal of farming" (ci = agriculture, wara = beast, and kun = head). Other people just refer to the Chiwara masquerade itself as labouring beast, i.e. the concept rather than the specific mask. The female mask often carries a fawn on its back, which represents human beings.

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Different traditions from different parts of Mali

There are different Chiwara masks styles, which can be roughly classified under naturalistic vertical, abstract vertical and horizontal. As its foundational legend spread among the Mandé, other villages copied it and made it their own. They added local influences that reflected their realities and belief systems. While designs may vary, the core purpose of the Chiwara remains the same – to reward hard work and diligence.

Ségou Chiwaras are the ones that most people around the world are familiar with. They are naturalistic and reduce the mask to the roan antelope’s most basic features. The male mask is typically bigger with horns curved backwards and a phallus, while the female mask features straight, vertical horns and sometimes a fawn on its back.

Bangouni Chiwaras, which are also vertical, have a recognisable antelope shape as well as a mane with zigzag motif in its mid-section, but sometimes feature parts from other animals, notably the aardvark and the pangolin, an animal known for its resilience and persistence.

Bamako Chiwaras bring the male and female masks together to form one, conjoined at the neck or attached with a string.

The Kita version is horizontal, fairly naturalistic and with vertical horns. This is a completely different version from anything you have seen before. In fact, some people even believe that Kitas are fake the first time they see them. They suffer maybe from the runaway popularity of the Ségou ones.

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Blessing the fields

At the start of the rainy season, the male and female masquerades go to the farms and perform a ritual dance so that the Chiwara’s spirit can bless the land with a bountiful harvest.

Chiwara dances typically feature two masks, male and female, that celebrate the mystical union between the sun, represented as male, and the earth, represented as female (this strong communion with the solar system that is supposed to align periodically to ensure the wellbeing of human beings is also a belief that is strong among the Dogon). You need the sun, the rain and the earth to produce good, nourishing food. If one part is missing, that is a big problem.

The workers’ hoes rise and fall to the rhythmic drumming and chanting of the musical ensemble while the Chiwaras right in the faces of the row of workers, urging them on, urging them not to give up. Farm work involved backbreaking labour but it is so important to the survival of the community. That is why the most important institution in the society is built around it.

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The Chiwara today

The Chiwara has become and omnipresent visual representation of the communal bond that exists among the Bambana people and their shared commitment to working together for the common good. It is a source of inspiration and pride, reminding Bambaras of the values of hard work, perseverance, and cooperation.

As society continues to grow, with thousands of people today who do not farm anymore, the Chiwara has become a mainstay of cultural festivals. Its foundational symbolism has also been metaphorically transferred to all aspects of sociocultural life. Think of it as a kind of trophy that may be awarded to anyone who distinguishes themselves through their hard work in a field of endeavour that moves the entire community forward.

Images of the masks adorn schoolbooks, office walls and even official stamps issued by the Republic of Mali. We can say that it has become the country’s logo.

This runaway popularity can often cause people to forget why it exists. It is for this reason that Bambara elders and some traders who value the original inspiration behind Chiwaras will tell you that under no circumstances should you offer one to a lazy person. They take their Chiwaras seriously.

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