Staff "yo domolo" ·  Mali, Dogon · ID: 3035235

Description

wood, slightly encrusted dark brown patina, metal tag, in form of a stylized animal head, mane in shape of triangular openwork design, min. dam., slight traces of abrasion, socle;
such staffs are emblems of the society of “yona” or “ritual thieves”. Each Dogon clan has a ritual thief, designated by the clan’s eldest member. The principal activity of the society seems to occur at the funeral of one of its members, when the “yona” all stalk the village, stealing and killing as many chickens, sheep and goats as they can, to be sacrificed and eaten at the funeral ceremony.