Throughout western Sudan, oil lamps are used to illuminate night ceremonies performed by secular and religious associations. Village homes and shrines are also lit from staffs with one or more oil cups. Some lamps establish a connection to human beings and are forged into abstract torsos with arms outstretched to hold miniature tools or additional cups. In Bamana ontology, the cup is the mouth, the wick is the tongue, and the light is intelligence as it emanates from the head.

Oil prepared from the karite nut is burned with a wick of twisted cotton fiber. The small spoon hanging from the oil cup lifts the wick to adjust the light level.

The oil lamp on the left portrays Muso Koroni, the Bamana mother of creation, disorder, and sorcery. Her spirit is invoked when she is illuminated by the two oil lamp cups beneath her.

Life Force at the Anvil
The Blacksmith's Art from Africa

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