Post of a "togu na"
Mali, Dogon
not available anymore
Size
H: 208 cm
H: 81.9 inch
Description
wood, middle brown patina, fork shaped top, flattened to the front and carved with a male/female pair of figures in raised relief, dam., missing parts, cracks, traces of weathering, on plate;
“togu na” describes a refuge, build for the male village eldest. It is an open construction with vertical elements supporting a thatched roof. In ideal case it consists of 8 posts arranged in sinuous line, referring to the 8 ancestors of “nommo”. The roof is low, so that the men have to sit during the assemblage, but keeps them cool.