Standing female ancestor figure ·  Mali, Dogon · ID: 3033318

Description

wood, encrusted greyish brown patina, typical helmet-shaped head with crested coiffure, arrow-shaped nose and C-shaped ears, both hands in front of the body supporting an item, accentuation of the navel, slightly dam., cracks, rep. (both thighs and the base), on wooden plate;
possibly belonging to the type of the “vageu” figures. These figures were placed aside the body of important deceased clan members in order to absorb a good deal of their “nyama”, the spiritual forces of the dead. Afterwards the spiritually strengthened figure was returned to the shrine, where now sacrifices could be made to obtain and secure health and fecundity.