Dogon Staff
Dogon Staff
Dogon Staff
Dogon Staff

Dogon Staff


Collection

Susan Bassion Collection


Identifier

BA12



Description

The Dogon are an ethnic group indigenous to the central plateau region of Mali, in West Africa, south of the Niger bend, near the city of Bandiagara, and in Burkina Faso. Held in the hand or worn over the shoulder, this curved staff is the emblem of the Dogon society of yona (ritual thieves). The principal activity of the society seems to occur at the funeral of one of its members, stealing domestic animals to be sacrificed and eaten at the funeral ceremony. Each Dogon clan has a ritual thief. The staffs are called yo domolo (thief's staff ), and frequently have a hook-shaped form.


Medium

wood

Width

2.5in

Height

28in

Length

9.25in

Where Made (Country)

Mali

Related place

Mali

How Acquired

donation

When Acquired

March 2019

Name of Donor

Austin Friends of Folk Art