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Dimitri André

Men's Poro and women's Sandogo associations commit themselves to the physical and spiritual well-being of Senufo communities. Although divination in northern Côte d'Ivoire is most often associated with Sandogo women, not all diviners are members of the organization. Senior Poro members and other enterprising men also establish divination practices. The height of this sculptural pair suggests that the pair served as spirit figures on an altar belonging to a senior member of Poro. Sculptures on divination altars reflect the status, prestige, and skill of their owners and appeal to spiritual intermediaries. This pair of spirit figures, or madebele (sing.: madeö), differs from the taller pombibele (sing.: pombia) sculptures that Poro members carry in procession or place in a central courtyard during funeral and commemorative ceremonies for deceased Poro elders.

The female figure in this pair stands taller than its male companion, reflecting an aesthetic choice common in Senufo sculpture. Artists elevate the stature of the female form to honor women and allude to their maternal roles in Poro, an initiation cycle that transforms uninitiated boys into productive adults. Membership in Poro is largely male and in Sandogo is largely female. The arts and practices of both institutions demonstrate the interdependence of both genders.

Private collection, Canada 

1850-1900 - wood - Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes

Senufo figure - Figure - Côte d’Ivoire

African & Tribal Art

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Size

S (10–40 cm)

M (40–80 cm)

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Dimensions

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Object

Tribal art and objects

Tribal masks

Tribal sculptures statues carvings and figurines

Figure

Mask

Sculpture

Dance mask

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Tribal books manuscripts and catalogues

Print

Statue

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Country of origin

DR Congo

Nigeria

Mali

Côte d'Ivoire

Gabon

Côte d’Ivoire

Congo

Cameroon

Africa

Burkina Faso

Ghana

Benin

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Material

Wood

Bronze

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Gender

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Condition

Good condition

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Good condition - used with small signs of aging & blemishes

Fair condition

Fair condition -  heavily used & with possibly minor parts missing

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Excellent condition: barely used with minimal signs of wear

As new - unused

Good condition - used with small signs of ageing

Good condition - used with some signs of wear

Good condition, see description

Very good

Excellent

Poor - heavily used with major cracks, damages or major parts missing

Very good condition, see description

Needs restoration

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Period

Late 20th century

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1930-1940

2000-2010

1940-1950

1920-1930

2020+

1950-1960

1850-1900

1990-2000

1980-1990

Early 20th century

1970-1980

1910-1920

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2010-2020

1900-1910

1800-1850

1500-1550

1450-1500

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Mixed technique

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African & Tribal Art

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Senufo figure - Figure - Côte d’Ivoire

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