Anthropomorphic Statuette Called Yapilu Dege - Mali - First Half Of The 20th Century

Anthropomorphic Statuette Called Yapilu Dege
Dogon culture, Mali 
First half of the 20th century
Wood with crusty patina
H. 40 cm high, 6 cm long, 6 cm thick 

This female figure is standing with her feet together on a circular base, her legs slightly bent and separated from each other. She holds her arms along her body, her hands joined. Her chest is sculpted high on the bust, under a wide collar forming a strawberry. Her chin is angular, her eyes slightly raised and her nose a characteristic stylised arrow. 

This statuette, associated with fertility, refers to the Yapilu ceremony: a cult reserved for women who, to protect their pregnancy or to ask for a child, made offerings and libations to the statuette placed on an altar. 

Text and photos © FCP CORIDON

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