Tyi wara

The Tyi Wara headdress represents an antelope, an animal of strength and dexterity - important qualities for a successful farmer. The male Antelope Tyi Wara, of which this is an example, represents the sun. The female antelope Tyi Wara represents the earth, and the baby on her back represents humankind. Cascading fibres which hang from the bottom of the headdress, represent rain and conceal the masker. In spring, with the coming of the rainy season, two masked dancers of the Tyi Wara association dance a re-enactment of the gift of cultivation - a gift of knowledge. The maskers, all male, dance male and female antelope masks in pairs. The ritual emphasizes the need for cooperation, hard work, diligence and preparation to accomplish a good harvest