essay

Functions of sculpture in Dogon religion

African arts21 (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.
Subjects
Visual arts
Sorcery
Spirits and gods
Sacred objects and places
Prayers and sacrifices
culture
Dogon
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)