19th-century Dogon sculpture representing a female ancestral spirit, carved in wood and characterized by its geometry and symbolic details.

Dogon Female Figure

Mali · Dogon ethnicity

Carved in wood by the Dogon ethnic group of Mali, this female figure represents a Nommo or ancestral spirit, notable for its cylindrical torso and arms, protruding abdomen, and pronounced buttocks.

The piece depicts a ritual posture, high-status ornaments, and typical scarifications, with a marked schematism and angular profiles.

It was created by a blacksmith-artist and intended for family shrines. It was used in ceremonies to ask for protection, fertility, and good harvests.

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Description

A Dogon female representation symbolizing a nommo or ancestral spirit. The figure stands on its own carved base for stability. Everything is pure geometry: a cylindrical torso and arms, which stretch and bend, as do the wrists, placing the fingertips on the knees; the legs are flexed. The prominent abdomen and steatopygia (protruding buttocks) are noteworthy. The head has a transverse slit that may be the mouth, and a prominent chin; the face is characterized by a sharp, pointed nose, which from the front resembles a downward-pointing arrow, almond-shaped eyes, and two discs as ears. A necklace, like a label, hangs from her neck and rests on her chest, indicating a person of high social status; the upper part of her arms also has circular ornaments. Scarification is visible near the clavicle.

Dogon sculpture is characterized by the pronounced schematic nature of its features, the angular and rectilinear profiles of its figures, with an emphasis on the head and torso, which gives them a unique and recognizable appearance. The blacksmith is the official artist of the group and applies the techniques he uses to work with iron.
All Dogon statuary symbolizes the nommos, or ancestral spirits. These statues are kept in small sanctuaries, and each year a festival is dedicated to them, during which sacrifices are offered and good harvests, freedom from disease, and fertility for women are requested. Important figures are entitled to have their bodies remain for a time next to these statues, which hold the spirit of the nommos, after their death.
Condition: Erosion due to desiccation, cracks and fissures. It has a light patina, which is very darkened in certain areas.

DOGON FEMALE FIGURE
Mali 19th century

DOGON FEMALE FIGURE
Mali 19th century

Restoration status

The sculpture shows erosion due to desiccation, cracks and fissures, and a light patina with occasional darkened areas.

Historical context

Originating from Mali in the 19th century, this Dogon figure was part of the community's religious rituals, symbolizing the nommos, spirits of ancestors. The statues were kept in sanctuaries and were the object of annual offerings to ensure fertility, health, and prosperity. The creation of these pieces was the responsibility of the blacksmith, a central figure in Dogon artistic and spiritual life.