“Livelihood and Wealth” – Mali

Mask painted red, black, and white (to symbolize love, power, and communion with tribal ancestors and god, respectively) and decorated with shells and Jute cloth. (Shells like these once served as a type of currency in many places in Africa, and Jute cloth as rugs in the homes of the wealthy). Above the mask sits a cross-legged, archaic figure of a man, woman, or animal. Its eyes are closed and it wears a concave hat. The figure symbolizes man’s communion with god and his ability to direct his thoughts.