ON SALE

The Dogon people of Mali are among the oldest surviving African cultures despite the fact that throughout their existence more powerful neighbors have threatened them. For protection, until about 300 years ago the Dogon built their villages near or in the famous Bandiagara cliffs. They have thusly been nicknamed the Hill, Cliff and Mountain people. The Dogon realize that they are not the first inhabitants of the land that they now occupy. Their myths, legends, traditions and art retain the memories of their predecessors. The Dogon people of Mali are known the world over for their creation of Dogon doors, panels and shutters. These items have various uses in their society; first as the physical closure to their granaries, secondly they are created and exchanged as gifts for birthdays, marriages, tokens of luck and rites of passage bequests and thirdly, when used as a part of the architecture, as a door or shutter, in a private abode, through the use of symbols they are used to describe the occupation of the person or that persons persona or status in the village. Lastly it served as a sign to taxpayers, letting them know which form of payment was accepted in the adjoining building. The symbolic styling of the doors and panels can vary. Pairs of breasts, representing femininity and fertility are usually found. Village dancers wearing the famed rabbit eared Walu mask or the tall Kanaga headdress are typically exhibited. The Kanaga masks are worn by members of the Awa Society dancing on the roof of the deceased in order to lead his soul (nyama) to its resting place as well as defending the survivors from the harm a wandering soul might inflict upon them. Important Tellum ancestors, figures with arms raised skyward, form replicated rows on the sought after traditionally carved panels, doors and shutters. A herringbone pattern can often be found running down the sides of these selections representing the vibration of water and light. When found the door latch is surmounted by one or two larger figures who are members of the famed founding primordial couple. Other themes include but are not limited to village scenes, warriors on horseback, animal figures, gecko lizards which represent luck and large crocodiles which denote power. The exceedingly large panel offered here is very well carved. All of the figures are crisp and clear and well detailed. The panel is thick and sturdy has been crafted from a very hard attractive wood.

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Dimensions: 82 1/2 inches tall x 37 inches across x 1 1/2 inches deep.

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