BAMANA DOORS, Mali

The Bamana people make and use doors that are somewhat similar to their neighbors, the Dogon. They are less well known and usually less impressive, being plain except for the doorlocks. Their doorlocks are usually larger and an important part of the total piece.

Note on the photographs: The first two photographs show the front and back of the door in sharp and angled direct sunlight, with the light showing through the space between the planks. (There is also some light reflected up from the bottom surface on which it was resting.). The third photograph and the detail below of the doorlock were taken indoors, with artificial light from the left side, showing how the door would look hanging on a wall, with the gaps largely in shadow.

All of the doors have been wired for hanging. Most of the doorlocks have lost their locking pins, so the bars can be slid to the open or locked position as desired.