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The Society office, gallery and library are open Tuesday, Wednesday (1 to 4) and Thursday afternoons or by appointment. Call or email us for an appointment.

762 Fulton Street, 2nd floor, San Francisco, Ca 94115
Admission is free.
Donations are welcomed!
Plan your trip by calling ahead. 415-292-6172

Chiwara, Bamana, Mali
Chiwara mask, Bamana, Mali
mid-to-late 20th century
A Chiwara (also Chi wara, Ci Wara, or Tyi Wara; Bambara: ciwara; French: tchiwara) is a ritual object representing an antelope, used by the Bambara ethnic group in Mali. The Chiwara initiation society uses Chiwara masks, as well as dances and rituals associated primarily with agriculture, to teach young Bamana men social values as well as agricultural techniques.

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