Kono Mask

In Bamana culture, words contain life force, nyama, and are considered to be as potent as deeds. The control of speech is therefore a power that necessitates special training by the Kono society, which imparts secret knowledge to its members through chanted songs. Bards, or epic poets, administer this society and shape oral history through songs and poetry. In addition to their roles as entertainers, bards have acted as advisers to rulers, thus exerting great political sway.

Kono masks only appear before a restricted audience of male initiates in a secret location in the wilderness. To instruct them in detecting the inaudible, the masked performer "speaks" through a reed flute, producing chanting sounds that represent the voice of conscience. The mask depicts a powerful mythical creature, whose exaggerated mouth signifies the ability of the Kono society to control speech. Elephant-like ears indicate the Kono man's supernatural sense of hearing. Attached to this mask is a type of amulet, composed of a ball of wrapped and knotted twine, wire, and fabric. This amulet represents a secret formula, kilisi, which was activated through ritual chanting, spit, and the act of knotting. It contains stored energy that increases the power of the mask.