Small shutter of a granary door ·  Mali, Tellem · ID: 3032309

Description

light wood, carved with a stylized crocodile in flat relief, encrusted with clay, surface with extreme traces of old age and weathering;
the crocodile motif originates from an ancient myth, which tells that the blacksmith once came down to the earth in a rowing boat floating on a rainbow. The crocodile reminds of the devotement of a “nommo” in order to save the world. The most beautiful ritual implements decorated with symbols deriving from this myth belong to the “hogon”. The door of his granary is carved with rows of male and female ancestors. The door window possibly with a crocodile.

Comparing literature

Leuzinger, Elsy, Die Kunst von Schwarz-Afrika, Recklinghausen 1972, ill. A. 32, p. 28