Dogon Figural Staff Mali

A figural staff or post from the Dogon who live at the base of the Bandiagara escarpment near the Niger River in Mali. This finely carved object could have been carried by a man known as Yo Domolo, a ritual thief, who was responsible for stealing (acquiring) the various animals needed for the complex funerary rituals so well known among the Dogon. It may have also been used by the blacksmith as an indication of his status among the Dogon.

The Dogon people's rich art and mythology share common visual symbols, whether depicted through carvings, oral traditions, or dances performed during their rituals. Dogon's Creator God, Amma, first created the Nommo humans, who were separated into four pairs - male and female - and mysteriously arrived on Earth. Carved onto the crook of the Dogon Figural Staff are one, or several of these figures. Symbolic of the Dogon creation myth, the Nommo figures not only represent mythical ancestors but also one's personal lineage, tracing back to ancient times. The Dogon Figural Staff serves as a tribute to both the gods and ancestors and is highly sought after in the world of African art for its rarity and significance.

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