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The Bamana, like most African peoples, honor their
 ancestors and depend on the ancestral spirits for their
blessings. They have organized their lives into a series of initiation
societies which provide instruction in all aspects of Bamana life. These
include n'domo (or n'tomo), komo, nama, kono, chiwara and kore. N'domo is
concerned with circumcision and prepares boys for their roles as adults and
instructs them in the origins of mankind. Compare the handling of the forehead,
nose and face on the N'domo mask with the Dogon Kanaga mask to the right. Cowry
shells, used as currency in may parts of West Africa, are symbols of wealth and
position. Each vertical member in the superstructure on the head represents the
attainment of a grade in the N'domo Society. |