The Primordial Couple
Carved by the Dogon peoples of Mali this piece titled “Primordial Couple” has many stylistic characteristics of the Dogon peoples including: elongated neck and torso, abstracted facial features, and scarification. Having an important belief of continuity in many African cultures this couple is a great example of just that.
The idea of continuity plays a large role in many African cultures including that of the Dogon peoples. This idea means that both men and women are needed to reproduce and create new life. Many times women are valued highly for their ability to carry children. Both seated, the males arm secures the female showing his strength and role as hunter and provider in the family and the female carries a child on her back representing the child bearer and caretaker of the family. Women are considered very wise in many African cultures and honored after their passing. It can be seen again that the woman plays an essential role that the men also notice; she brings new life and hope for the future and care with inclining age. Without the both of them life could not exists and the woman plays a very important role in this pair.
The idea of continuity plays a large role in many African cultures including that of the Dogon peoples. This idea means that both men and women are needed to reproduce and create new life. Many times women are valued highly for their ability to carry children. Both seated, the males arm secures the female showing his strength and role as hunter and provider in the family and the female carries a child on her back representing the child bearer and caretaker of the family. Women are considered very wise in many African cultures and honored after their passing. It can be seen again that the woman plays an essential role that the men also notice; she brings new life and hope for the future and care with inclining age. Without the both of them life could not exists and the woman plays a very important role in this pair.
Baule Spirit Spouce
Baule, Cote d'Ivoire, Wood, Bayly Art Museum
Created by the Baule people of the Ivory Coast this Baule spirit spouse represents a perfect woman for a specific man. Here she has conical breasts, an elongated flat forehead and neck, and almond shaped eyes. She is depicted full bodied and beautiful. According to Roy Sieber an author of African Art in the Cycle of Life, the Baule believe that before a person was born on earth, he or she had a spirit spouse, which may manifest itself, that is, cause misfortune such as infertility, infidelity, business failure, or the like. [1] The human spouse will spend one night a week to sleep with the spirit spouse and also create an alter for them. Many times these dolls are not seen by anyone other than the human spouse if taken outside they are many times covered with cloth. These figures are held with the large belief that they can influence and change ones life. Often given nice items and food they are treated very well.
Styles have changed when dealing with these spirit spouses. Many are now seen as business women with a brief case or as a very attractive looking woman in a bathing suit.
[1] Roy Sieber, African Art in the Cycle of Life (United States: Smithsonian Institution), 69.
Styles have changed when dealing with these spirit spouses. Many are now seen as business women with a brief case or as a very attractive looking woman in a bathing suit.
[1] Roy Sieber, African Art in the Cycle of Life (United States: Smithsonian Institution), 69.
Togu Na Support Post
Carved from wood and created by the Dogon peoples of Mali this support post is found in a togu na; [1]“open-sided shelters forbidden to women where Dogon men meet to rest, converse, and discuss issues of importance to the community.” Here a woman’s features are being depicted with an emphasis placed on the woman’s conical breasts and broad shoulders used to emphasis fertility and a growing population. It can be understood from this support post that Dogon men have a high regard for their women and their reproductive abilities to aid in their continuance after their death.
[1] Ezra, Kate. Art of The Dogon: Selections From The Lester Wunderman Collection (New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1988), 88.
[1] Ezra, Kate. Art of The Dogon: Selections From The Lester Wunderman Collection (New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1988), 88.
Dogon Granary Door
Granary Door, Dogon, Mali, 55"H x 24.5"W x 2"D - Wood
This granary door, carved from wood, made by the Dogon peoples of Mali was used in granaries, storage like aresas, that many times women owned. The more elaborate the door the wealthier the family was.
On this door there are eight pairs of breast. This could mean many things but one reasoning for the breasts on this door would be the hopes of continued fertility.