Pair of Bronze Chi wara ritual objects. - Veistos - Chi Wara - Bambara - Mali (Ei pohjahintaa)

These bronze stylistic antelopes are called Chi Sara’s and are used by the Bambara people of Mali,in different agricultural rituals asking for a good harvest. They represent antelopes. The female has a baby antelope on its back. There are four main types of Chi wards. Here are on two vertical versions, also known as the Segou Style.

Ethnic group: The Bambara are a major ethnical group living mainly in the southeast of Mali, West Africa . They are mainly an agricultural peole, especially in rural areas. Most Bambara cults and their rituals are therefore tied to agriculture. They strongly emphasize the initiation into adult society.
Usually carved from wood , smaller bronze examples are also made and mostly serve as shrine objects but these examples have a hole at the base which might suggest that they were probably attached to a head dress and worn in harvest ceremonies.
From a German collection.