Standing male figure "doogélé"
Description
wood, middle brown patina with remains of black paint, body of characteristic form and posture, tribe-typical facial features, crested coiffure, scarification marks on both sides of the face, traces of usage (strong abrasion of paint on the upper arms, where the figure was held), slightly dam. (chin), minor missing parts (left ear), vertical cracks (crest, neck, belly and base), min. traces of insect caused damage (right arm backside), abrasion;
the figure was separated from its female counterpart. The latter published in the Expo. cat.: “Women Eternal, the female image in African Art” , Tambaran Gallery, New York, 1991, # 2.
Nowadays these sculptures are called “doogélé”, according to the pestles used for pounding millet, while the term “madébéle” is out of use. Big statues of the Senufo are generally ascribed to the “poro”, a secret society, responsible for conveying ritual knowledge and for the preservation of tradition. Therefore the statues are accurately related to as “poro biibèlè” - “children of the poro”. The figures were usually sculpted in pairs, male/female, and were used at funeral celebrations for important persons. The festivities last for two or three days and untill late at night people commemorate the deceased with music and mourning songs. On the next day the corpse is sewn in special scarves, forming a huge cocoon in the end. Afterwards the actual rites of the “poro” begin: a “doogélé” figure is placed on either side of the cocoon. Then a mask of the “poro” performes, with the function to separate the spirit of the deceased from his body, so that he is able to enter into the realm of the dead. In ritual procession the cocoon is carried to the grave, accompanied by two elders of the “poro” carrying the “doogélé” and with every step they take pounding them on the ground. At sundown the grave has to be closed at the latest. At that moment the funeral is finished, but the festivities will continue until late at night. When not in use the figures were kept near the “kbaala”, a large shelter, existing in every village. The figures should keep watch and should demonstrate that the “poro” is present in the village. With the “poro” certain duties, functions and rank of the initiates within the grade system are associated.