Malinke Suruku Masks: The Hyena Face Borrowed From a Neighbor’s Power Association
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Several traditions documented in this book grew their initiation systems from within, inventing the society and the mask that represents it together. The Malinke, named for their historical links to the empire of Mali and spread across Mali, Guinea, Côte d’Ivoire, and Senegal, took a different path with at least one of their power associations: the Korè, one of six such associations the Malinke adopted wholesale from their Bamana neighbors, complete with its own mask genre, the suruku, or “hyena.” That adoption, an entire initiation structure and its defining mask imported from next door and then carved in a distinctly Malinke visual language, is the throughline worth carrying through this piece. It shows a people who stayed stylistically independent of the Bambara while still absorbing one of their most important social institutions.
Who Are the Malinke?
The Malinke (“people of Mali”) are named for their historical links to the empire of Mali. They are independent of the Bambara as a people, but their carving style shows a strong influence from their neighbors nonetheless.
A Style Independent of the Bambara, Yet Shaped by Neighbors
The style of Malinke masks is characterized by a vigorous, bold configuration of volumes, some with an extremely large hemispherical forehead unified with an angular nose and a square mouth. Others show more Senufo influence. Malinke statues are also somewhat more vigorous compared with those of the Bambara, marked by a frog-like projecting mouth and an elaborate coiffure, a visual signature distinct enough to set Malinke work apart even where its underlying institutions were borrowed.
Suruku: The Hyena Mask of an Adopted Power Association
Combining animal and human traits, a genre of mask called suruku, meaning “hyena,” most likely belonged to the Korè, one of six power associations that the Malinke would have adopted from their Bamana neighbors. The Korè is concerned with the circumcision and initiation of male youths into adulthood, and the suruku mask probably served as one of the symbols marking the different classes within the Korè. The result is a mask whose institutional origin lies with the Bamana, but whose bold, hemispherical-forehead carving style belongs unmistakably to the Malinke.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “Malinke” mean?
Malinke means “people of Mali,” a name reflecting their historical links to the empire of Mali.
How does Malinke mask style differ from Bambara style?
Malinke masks favor a vigorous, bold configuration of volumes, sometimes with an extremely large hemispherical forehead, angular nose, and square mouth; Malinke statues are more vigorous than Bambara ones, with a frog-like projecting mouth and elaborate coiffure.
What is a suruku mask?
Suruku, meaning “hyena,” is a mask genre combining animal and human traits that most likely belonged to the Korè power association, probably marking different classes within it.
What is the Korè?
The Korè is one of six power associations that the Malinke adopted from their Bamana neighbors, concerned with the circumcision and initiation of male youths into adulthood.
See also: African Masks by Region and Tribe · Senufo Kpelie Mask: The Face Mask of Ancestors and Initiation · Every Traditional African Mask You Should Know
