Standing male figure "deble" ·  Côte d'Ivoire, Senufo · ID: 3034555

Description

light brown wood, dark brown patina, remains of pigments, dam., missing parts (base), traces of insect caused damage, cracks (left hand), slight traces of abrasion;
the large anthromorphic Senufo figures, commonly known as “deble”, are closely related to the practices of the initiatory and community institution, “poro”. For a long time observers limited the significance of these figures to their “dynamic” use – carried in pairs, the figures were used to rhythmically pound the earth during funerary ceremonies. However there is also a “static” use for the figures, which were sunk into the ground at the time of funerary rites. At the same time, the “poro piibele” figures (“children of the poro”) were placed upright near the “kpaala” (a small shelter built either in the village or on its outskirts), serving as the representatives of “poro”. They served as witnesses at the performances of the recently initiated age group, who were charged with the role of conducting the rituals which guaranteed that the deceased would be transformed into a benevolent ancestor.

Comparing literature

Burkhard, Gottschalk, Senufo - Unbekannte Schätze aus privaten Sammlungen, Düsseldorf 2009, p. 182 ff.