Marka (Warka), Mali

Ntomo ceremonial mask. Some 400,000 Marka live in the region that extends from the north of the Bambara to the Senegalese border. They live principally from agriculture with some subsidiary cattle. The Marka are famous for their masks and puppets. Similar to Bambara's  ntomo society masks, Marka masks are generally carved with horns, comb or crest on top of the head, but unlike Bambara masks they are often covered with metal sheeting. The masks of this type were used in two rituals, in the circumcision ceremony of adolescents, and when circumcised men advanced from one grade to another.

Material:  wood, cupper sheeting, cotton tassels

Size:  H. 20½”, W. 7½”, D. 6½”