Dan Standing Female Wood Figure Liberia Côte d'Ivoire

The Dan people, numbering approximately 350,000, inhabit the rural villages and towns of Northwest Liberia and eastern Ivory Coast. Among the most distinctive artistic traditions of the Dan, also known as the Yacuba, are their sculpted female figures, commissioned by affluent or socially influential men to honor their favored wives. These figures, often referred to as lu me (meaning "wooden person"), serve as symbolic representations of fertility and the perpetuation of family lineage. At times, these figures are depicted with an infant on their back, reinforcing their association with maternal strength and continuity.

The lu me figures, which can exceed 60 centimeters in height, are not intended to represent ancestors; rather, they are stylized portraits of actual individuals, capturing distinctive physical features such as hairstyle, body markings, and facial characteristics. These sculptures stand as exemplary works within the broader tradition of Dan sculpture, renowned for their intricate craftsmanship and profound cultural significance.

The creation of lu me figures is often attributed to highly skilled artists, who, working in secrecy and isolation from women and children, meticulously carve these portraits. This seclusion allows for a heightened focus on the work’s spiritual and aesthetic significance. In some instances, the lu me figures are ceremonially revealed to the community, during which the man who commissioned the sculpture gains recognition and enhanced social prestige. These figures may also be privately kept in small houses and only brought into the public eye during special events, further reinforcing their status and importance within the social fabric of the community

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