Marka mask, Mali, Large wooden mask ornate with brass detailing on the face and on the head; grim facial expression, small pursed mouth, long and thin nose and slit opening for eyes; large domed hard and fabric attached to cover the head of the person to wear the mask. Signs of Use. Certificate os authenticity and provenance. 

The Marka people number about 25,000 individuals and are part of the Soninke ethnic group.  They inhabit northwest Mali and combine Muslim and animist traditions.

They have six major secret societies of different levels of prestige that conduct adult initiation rituals. Initiates are taught survival skills, social customs, and religious principles. The N’tomo Society originally comprised only uncircumcised boys and teaches the virtues of silence and discipline. For this reason, the N’tomo Society masks tend to have small, closed mouths.

Marka masking traditions closely resemble  those of their Bamana neighbors, with copper, brass or tin sheeting commonly used. Blacksmithing and metallurgy play an important role in the N’tomo Society, so the metal covering greatly increases the status of a mask. Source: Museum of Cultural Masks.

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Height: 58 cm
Weight: 2,8 kg