essay

Functions of sculpture in Dogon religion

African arts • 21 (4) • Published In 1988 • Pages: 59-65, 91

By: Beek, W. E. A. van.

Abstract

This article is a discussion of the religious function of Dogon statues. The statues have a public and private use. Publically, they are found alongside most altars, where they act as a supernatural antenna, transmitting invocations and offerings to the gods and ancestors, and receiving in turn supernatural forces. Privately, any individual can make a statue to request divine aid in family matters. The statues are used again and again and grow in their power, which also makes them more dangerous. They fall out of use when the person who made them dies. Having lost their power they are then sold to the tourist trade.

HRAF PubDate

2000

Region

Africa

Sub Region

Western Africa

Document Type

essay

Evaluation

Creator Type

Ethnologist

Document Rating

4: Excellent Secondary Data

5: Excellent Primary Data

Analyst

Ian Skoggard ;1999

Field Date

1978-1985

Coverage Date

1978-1985

Coverage Place

Bandiagara, Mali

Notes

Walter E. A. van Beek

Includes bibliographical references (p. 91)

LCCN

sf77000055

LCSH

Dogons (African people)