Ancestor figure - Hardwood - Hogon - Dogon - Mali - 125 cm

Rare and authentic piece. Provenance: Purchased in 1991 from the "Carrefour" Claude Vérité Gallery at a price of 20,000 Francs or € 3,000. (Photo of the invoice with several items listed, the Hogon of which will be communicated to you) The Hogon is the spiritual leader of the village. He is elected from among the oldest men in the families of the village. After his election he must follow six months of initiation, during which he is not allowed to shave or wash. He wears white clothes and no one is allowed to touch him. A young prepubescent virgin takes care of him, cleans his house and prepares his meals. She comes home at night. After his initiation, he will wear a red cap. He has an armband with a sacred pearl that symbolizes his function. The virgin is replaced by one of his wives, but she also comes home at night. The Hogon must live alone in his house. The Dogon believes that the sacred serpent Lebe comes during the night to purify him and impart wisdom to him.