Shiwara.

Bamana, North Niger River.

Wood, and metal strips (to hold the head on body that are cut in two pieces of wood.

Height: 24 cm (oncluding base)

Provenance: Harrie Heinemans

Price: sold  Shiwara SOLD

Chiwara is a Bamana mythical hero, believed to have introduced agriculture to the Bamana people. Formerly, performing at harvest ceremonies, Chiwara dancers today appear in farming contest.

Below you can see the native old metal restoration on the neck, and the branded holes. Also you can see the old natural patina.

The head is fixed with two metal strips on the body.

Price: 2,400 €  Shiwara SOLD

Bambara or Bamana dance wood headdress in the form of an antelope, used durind the ceremonyof the Ntomo, the Tyi Wara who is used as a coiffe  was used  by the yonger man to help call the gods to help with agricultural grow. 

The story tells  the Shiwara was half man - half animal and had supernatural powers, helping the fields to grow. 

This small one ids a female one, usially there is also a male one more vertical. The wood part is on top of a fiber costume usually black.

Particularly fascinating in this example is the geometric stylisation of the feet , the sweeping horns and the antelope head extreme simplicity . The composition is balanced, and the tongue  makes you think it is speaking which further emphasizes the human/antelope nature of the mythical hero.

Provenance: 

Heinemans, Harrie (1921-1995, 19 September) & Pinke (1931-1999)

       Artist/dealer/coll. Eindhoven-The Netherlands. Started collecting around 1955. Painter, he inspired a lot of Dutch people to collect African Art. Author: The Pleasure of collecting African Art. Eindhoven, The Netherlands, 1986.

(from the "Who's Who in African Art" from Guy van Rijn )

click to enlarge thumbs

Price: sold for this 24 cm Shiwara coming from Harrie Heinemans collection (including base)

 Shiwara is sold