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33-3/4 x 7-3/4 x 2-3/4 in.
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Harrison Eiteljorg
(Charles Bird, Professor of Anthropology at Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana) sold on 29 July 1977 to Harrison Eiteljorg [1903-1997] of Indianapolis, Indiana; given to the Indianapolis Museum of Art at Newfields in 1989.
Ciwara is the name of a mythical creature who first taught humans farming. The Ciwara association, its masks and its performances, honor farmers and acknowledge the importance of their work in the community, since a poor harvest may result in starvation.
The male maskers, who have been chosen as the year’s best farmers, dance bent-over with antelope-like movements, carrying a stick in each hand, symbolizing an antelope’s forelegs, and perhaps refer to Ciwara’s original digging sticks.
This wooden crest is worn by a dancer. This one depicts a female antelope, always with offspring. This headpiece honors the mythical creature and serve as emblems of the Ciwara association. The antelope horns symbolize stalks of millet grain, the primary food of the area. The zigzag patterns in the mane refer to the path of the sun.
Exhibition Name
Venue
Dates
University of Indianapolis
March 23, 1980 - April 3, 1980
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