DOGON FIGURE 42, MALI

Usually representing spirits, ancestors or the primordial couple, figures such as these were placed in shrines and treated with great respect by the Dogon ancestor cult. Through a wide range of style, scale, belief and function the figures depicted share a timeless, serene equality necessary to the continuity of Dogon society. The figures with the face hidden by the hands are images of "Dyougou Serou" from Dogon mythology, who hides his head in shame,