Very old figure, 15 th - 17th century

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Description

wood, partly red patina (coming from old sediments of the iron containing laterit soil), standing man with elongated arms (right arm restored), special “tintam” characteristics differing from neighbouring regions: muscular bodies, especially exaggerated breast muscles, more realistic and larger in size, as well as closely shaved heads, decorative scars and no sacrificial patina, classical face, the horizontally protruding beard a sign of dignity, wearing a metal chain with several pendants on the left shoulder, rest. (right arm), rest. (right arm), cracks, small missing parts, slight traces of abrasion, base;
the gesture of raised arms is said to indicate the communication between the earth and heaven, specifically a prayer for rain, an essential commodity in the arid environment in which the Dogon people live. Sacrifices to elicit rain are made on altars called “andugo”, which are dedicated to the spiritual being “nommo”, who is present in all water, including rain. After making a sacrifice over the altar and building a fire whose thick smoke is said to attract dark rain clouds, the officient holds an iron hook, called “gobo”, in his outstretched arm and brings it back over his head, making a hooking gesture to pull the rain-bearing clouds closer.
Though other intrepretations, such as asking for forgiveness for a ritual mistake would also come into question.
Since many explorers and travellers never reached the area of Bondum in the north, the “tintam” culture is not so well documented and the art is more original than in other parts of the Dogon region.

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Expertise

Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, 31 March 2009 (Radiocarbon dating)

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Comparing literature

Leloup, Hélène, Dogon Statuary, Strassburg 1994, ill. 101 Leloup, Hélène, Dogon, Paris 2011, p. 258 f.

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Publications

Dartevelle, Pierre, Continuité, Paris 2014

AHDRC: 0122421

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Exhibition

Parcours des Mondes, Paris 2014

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