Bambara
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The Bambara (Bamana in their own language, or sometimes Banmana) are a Mande people living in west Africa, primarily in Mali but also in Guinea, Burkina Faso and Senegal. They considered to be a large Mande racial tribe. Throughout the country of Mali the Bambara people are the largest and most dominant culture. The name Bambara means "infidel" or "barbarian" and is the name their enemies used to describe them. Banmana in contrast, means "accept no master" and is the name they use to refer to themselves.[citation needed]
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[edit] History
Before their 19th century conquest by the Islamic Toucouleur Empire, they were organised into the Bambara Empire. They became the dominant cultural community in Mali under French colonialism. The Bambara language, considered a branch of the Manding language, has become the principal interethnic language in Mali and the main official language of the state alongside French.
[edit] Culture
The Bambara people gained certain spiritual beliefs over time; these beliefs were adapted through specific events many of the Bamana people encountered daily. Although the majority of this culture claims to be Muslim many people still believe in the traditional beliefs of worshiping their ancestors. Tribes that lived with in close proximity of each other eventually grew as one or adapted to the ways of life they believed would help each tribe member to reach eternal happiness.
This specific culture progressed to be a great source of power throughout Western Africa they displayed proudly what they believed to be their reason for living through their artworks and heritage. Bamana people believed the universe was bigger than any one man could ever imagine. They specifically used their art in hopes to help with certain issues at hand with in the environment. They referred to man as nothing but a small incremental part of a person, a man was seen as tiny bit in a group and an even smaller part in the universe.
The Bamana tribe divided themselves among different groups throughout their tribe known as inauguration societies. These societies were considered to be created because each person with in this group had similar traits or abilities. Two important groups throughout this tribe are the farmers and artisans. As these tribes are split up they are unable to marry outside their castes thus creating long lines of family members who each hold similar important traits to keep a tribe flourishing.
Each of these tribes thrived off of farming, hunting and trade to keep their culture afloat throughout many hard times. They relied on farming as a way to obtain the nutrients and food any group of people must have. Hunting was also a means of food and way to keep unwanted predators away from the tribes living grounds. Trade was a thriving market within this culture; they supplied townspeople with everyday needed items and used their crafts to sell for little revenue. Families within these tribes could have member numbers anywhere from 100 to 1000. Each group of people deemed as a village averages about 600 people and has its own leader or chief. Member of these villages between ages 6 and 30 have certain roles to help keep the village on a forward pace. Bamana people given the title of a tribe leader hold specific political roles as well as reigning religious duties. Although these tribes are split up into many different groups they all work together to maintain a solid tribal foundation. Each generation of the Bamana people have adapted and proved to prosper well through the demands of life.
[edit] Bambara art
The Bambara people adapted many artistic traditions and began to create display pieces. These artworks were created as a display of how they felt for the spirits and an exhibit of their cultural and religious beliefs. Different types of Bamana art include pottery, sculptures, woven cloth, iron figures, and in depth mask forming customs. Before money was the main drive of creation of their artworks these tribes used their abilities solely as a sacred craft for display of spiritual pride, religious beliefs and display of tribal customs.
Example artworks include the Bamana n’tomo mask. This mask was used to dance at a male initiation ceremony. Another popular mask is the Tyi Warra headdress. This mask was danced at harvest time by two young men chosen from the farmers association. They were danced for celebration of the village’s most triumphant farmer. Other Bambaken statues include Bambara fertility statues. Many of these types of figures that were created were meant to be kept with the wife at all times to ensure fertility. Other statues were created for people such at hunters and farmers so other tribe members could leave offerings after long farming seasons or group hunting’s.
Each special creative trait a person obtained was seen as a different way to please higher spirits. Powers throughout the Bamana art making world were used to please the ancestral spirits and show beauty in what they believed in. Hampate Ba, a Mali philosopher stated “we have learned weavers, sculptors, potters and smiths were members of exclusive societies in which the masters, assisted by their servants, taught the apprentices the sacred craft. Rather than derive money...they devoted themselves to the sacred craft in order to please the gods and the spirits of the ancestors." [citation needed]
