Post of a "togu na" ·  Mali, Dogon · ID: 3032714

Description

wood, matt greyish brown patina, square post with fork-shaped top, carved with a stylized female figure, dam., missing parts, on wooden base;
“togu na” describes a refuge, build for the male village eldest. It is an open construction with vertical elements supporting a thatched roof. In ideal case it consists of eight posts arranged in sinuous line, referring to the 8 ancestors of “nommo”. The roof is low, so that the men have to sit during the assemblage, but keeps them cool.