English: Male: antelope headdress in vertical style with glossy, deep reddish brown patina. The mane consists of three sweeping curved bands with elaborate openwork "V" shaped configurations in each band. Head is narrow and snout is elongated. There are incised decorative notches on head and on both sides of body near tail. Horns are very tall and bifurcated - tips are carved almost at right angle near top. Horns decorated with incised grooves. Edges of ears are notched. Condition: very good. Proper left ear has native repair; metal plate is nailed across crack at top edge.

English: These headdresses, called ci-wara, represent antelopes, important animals in Bamana philosophy. The antelope's power is a metaphor for the successful farmer who tirelessly tills his fields. Worn on the heads of male dancers, these headdresses are always danced in pairs, one male and one female, to symbolize the fertility of both land and animals. The headdresses are danced during agricultural festivals by each town's champion farmer, who wears them with a raffia or cloth costume.