Tribal Art

Endowed with a tubular excrescence for gripping, this sculpture of a female figure is fixed in a classical attitude, palms arranged around the abdomen, legs disappearing into a pedestal forming a pestle called " sedine " or " dol " according to the dialect. The figuration of bracelets around the wrists and waist should be noted: In order to honor the wisdom and knowledge of the elders, the Senoufo adorned themselves with jewels that could also be placed on the altars. Brown-black oiled patina, glossy. Cracks of desiccation, localized erosions.
These figurative tribal statues Debele , Deblé , sometimes called " child of Poro " or " bush spirit ", were used in pairs during funeral processions or during ceremonies marking the end of initiation rites. The initiates of the Poro society, which trained boys from the age of 7, carried them and pounded the ground with rhythm to the sound of drums, opening and closing the march. The Senoufo of the center, meanwhile, placed them in the middle of the ceremonial circle. Then kept in an enclosure, sézing , they are supposed to protect these young initiates.