<http://schema.org/description>
"This door lock represents a male character.Many locks represent the  bonnetworn by the priest of the society of the komo during the ceremony of the \"bambada\" or \"crocodile mouth\"  This animal which belongs to the mythology of the Bambara is closely associated with the initiation of the komo society and its powers against witchcraft and the evil spirit. The face and the hat ,the   traditional bambada, are represented in a very abstract way: triangular, slightly concave face, its central edge is  the nose. The whole of the upper part  also symbolizes the open jaws of the crocodile (bama .) The trunk is incised different geometric patterns linked to symbols of fertility,  The angled part, under the face , represents t symbolizes the teachings  and the knowledge  of the komo. Locks , called konbalabala) were used on the doors of dwellings, cook houses,  sanctuaries, and on granary shutters. Each lock had a name in connection with the message that it sent, a person, a myth, or a simple story to which it referred. The locks were often offered as a wedding gift, and transmitted from generation to generation.Certain types of burning would necessarily be included on the locks owned by the women, which they guaranteed the fecundity.The cross lying X or vertical, single, double or triple incision and the grids based on diamonds are commonly reproduced drawings.The cross represents both the universe and l ' man and fertility and the four directions of celestial space. The grid represents creative waters, reproductive fluids, and also the four cardinal points.The functional and utility of locks is secon-daire, compared to many other functions. They have the power to fight against witchcraft and evil forces; they have a role educational or philosophical; they can recall a historic event, social conflicts, the legends of the creation of the universe or religious beliefs. By their educational function, they create a link between generations. They express and concentrate the philosophy and the beliefs of the Bambara focus philosophy and the beliefs of the BambaraThe rigour of its style, its balance, and its large size, associated with a very beautiful and old patina, make this lock a beautiful example  in this class of objects\r\n41cm"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://www.trocadero.com/stores/tribalworld/items/1156480/bamana-lock>