Early Arts Janus Bambara Female Doll Mali Sogo Bò Theater Circa 1930/50 Ségou Bamana

FIRST ARTS / AFRICAN ART CIRCA 1930/1950 Puppet / Doll, totemic statue Mani ("little person" in the Mandinka language), anthropomorphic female figure of Janus (double-sided) Bambara / Bamana from Mali, West Sub-Saharan Africa , region of Ségou. Typical of the style, dexterity and knowledge of this ethnic group, with a very beautiful marquetry work of chiseled brass leaves. Conical breasts carried high, representing the ideal woman. This large non-articulated doll was intended and used in the Sogo Bò theater among the Bamana of Mali (it is the same for the Bozo of Mali, fishermen), place of discussion, of debate on society in general and the relationship man / woman in particular; and more precisely the duality and the permanent fight, within polygamy (whether they are animists, Muslims or Christians), between Barabara, the favorite wife and Galomuso, the bad wife. Duality represented by a woman and a man representing the legs of Janus. This theater dates back to the pre-colonial period of Mali. Nice mastery for this interesting statue. Very good state. Weight: 1.562kg.