Tribal Art

Anthropomorphic figure whose vertically propelled arms are accompanied by a crenellation running up to the kidneys, accentuating the dynamism of the subject. The effort in pushing seems to be imprinted on the facial features, while the bending of the long legs suggests energetic participation. Deep and thick black patina, lustrous, minor flaking.
The south of the plateau dominating the Bandiagara cliff has been occupied since the 10th century by the Tellem and the Niongom. They were then displaced by the Dogon in the 15th century, who fled the Mandé. Dogon statuary is difficult to distinguish from that of the Tellem and Niongom. A recurrence: the characters with their arms raised above their heads, in an invocation position, an act of contrition following a drought which would have been caused by a violation of the ritual. Sculpted for the most part to order placed by a family and placed on the family altar Tiré Kabou, the Dogon tribal statues, sometimes embodying the nyama of the deceased, participate in the various rituals including those of the sowing and harvest periods. Their functions, however, remain little known.