Unusual Bamana African Zoomorphic carved Figure

An unusual African carved wooden figure dating to the mid 20th century. It was made by the Bamana people of Mali, and shows a man waering a curious animal head mask, probably a hyena. The mask has a long face and snout, typical of ceremonial Kono or Kore masks worn by the Bamana. The Kono and Kore are amongst a number of men's societies associated with the Bamana who undertake ceremonial duties related to ensuring the success of crops, judicial matters and rites of passage at different ages. The masks for these groups are typically of elongated animal head form with ears at the top.