African Lg Old Colorful Bird Mask Bozo Bamana W/Stand 28"W

Superb Old colorful and fun Painted hand carved of one piece of Wood ,

Marionette or Puppet Mask ,depicting a bird head  ,

shows some age and restoration minor losses due to use and age overall good condition...

on custom made black wood stand 

22.75" h by 28" w by 5.5" D

8LBs 

from the Niger and Bani rivers in the region of Segou of Mali. Theses marionette performances with brightly painted and costumed puppets are staged by the village youth association. Although today Bamana farmers and Bozo fishermen participate together in these performances, oral tradition holds that the puppet theater originated among the Bozo, descendants of the Soninke rulers of the medieval Ghana Empire and perhaps the original inhabitants of the area.This Marionette Bozo Mask would be a bright and fabulous addition to your home and collection.