BAMBARA, MALI
WOOD, COPPER, HORSE HAIRT,HEIGHT 112 CM

This beautiful item was purchased by Nji Idriss Mbombo in 1986 at a trade fair in Yaounde, the capitol of Cameroon. This is not a traditional religious statue, but was rather used to poke fun at authorities and dignitaries during initiation festivities. Horses command much respect by the Bambara, many of whom are traders and use them for transport. They are als seen as a symbol of wealth, as traditionally only chiefs and high ranking members of society could afford them.