BAMANA STYLE JO MATERNITY FIGURES ARCHIVES, Mali

Photographs © Tim Hamill

BAMANA STYLE JO MATERNITY FIGURES, Mali

Exhibiting a wide diversity in size, symbolism, intimacy and style., African maternity figures depict the ideals of beauty, fertility, character and action and many signify much more, whether the primordial mother or a legendary founding ancestor. Commonly used as shrine figures, they were often objects of petitions or prayers for fertility and successful births. The prevelance of the maternity theme testifies to the importance of women and children to the continuity of each people.

Figures like these were carried in dance ceremonies by new members of the Jo association. Large seated figures of the Jo association were kept in shrines, and aided women who sought their help. Periodically they were brought out for fertility ceremonies. Figures represented the Bamana idea of beauty.

Despite their appearance, our Bamana maternity figures show no evidence of age or use and were probably made to be sold.

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