Staff "yo domolo"
Mali, Dogon
Vendu
450 €
Provenance
Harrie Heinemans, Eindhoven, The Netherlands (pre 1986)Anonymous seller (2009)
Gerhard de Vos, Dormagen, Germany
Hans Reinmöller, Ratingen, Germany
Taille
H: 70 cm
H: 27.6 inch
Description
wood, brown patina, remains of pigments, in form of a stylized animal head, min. dam., slight traces of abrasion, base;
such staffs are emblems of the society of “yona” or “ritual thieves”. The principal activity of the society seems to occur at the funeral of one of its members, when the “yona” all stalk the village, stealing and killing as many chickens, sheep and goats as they can, to be sacrificed and eaten at the funeral ceremony.