Seated figure · 

Mali, Dogon · ID: 3037854

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Description

wood, partly encrusted, partly oily brown patina, body of closed contour with symmetrical arranged limbs, helmet-shaped head with tribe-typical facial features and flat chin, collection number “46?” at the back, min. dam., missing parts (base), fine cracks, slight traces of abrasion, base;
many different substances are used for sacrifice: the blood of chickens, sheep and goats slaughtered for this purpose, millet porridge, flour made from the fruits and seeds of the baobab tree etc. These sacrificial materials are looked upon as vehicles for “nyama”, the vital force that determines a person’s mental and physical well-being.

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Exposition

Volkenkundig Museum Gerardus van der Leeuw, Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, 1971-1997; Galerie Ruimte, "Africa. De ten Houten Collectie van Afrikaanse kunst", Eersel, The Netherlands, 28-29 June 1997

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