Untitled

Untitled

Granary Door

This is a door. It is made of wood. It was made by the Dogon of Mali, Africa. On the right side are the two points that act like hinges on both ends. The upper and bottom sides of the door have matching ridges, before going smooth. The door is split into two sections. On the right panel are two human figures that are somewhat androgynous and stacked on top of each other. On the left panel is a reptile, possibly a chameleon or crocodile, at the top. Under it is a pair of mounds with what seems to be a mortar and pestle under it. Granary doors act as protection for a Dogon family’s storage of grain. Figures from daily life, nature, Dogon mythologies, and family ancestors are carved into the door to act as further protection. The two human figures on the right may be Nommo, the first primordial being made by Amma, the sky creator god. Nommo would eventually transfer into four sets of twins and so, Nommo typically references multiple figures. The Nommo is said to have scales for skin that change color, which might reference the reptile as a chameleon. If it is a crocodile, it may be a simple symbol of power. The pair of mounds underneath the reptile is a pair of disembodied breasts, which are linked with fertility and prosperity, important to agriculture. The mortar and pestle are represented as these are the tools to ground grain that is protected in the granary stores.

The Dogon

Martha and Robert Fogelman

Art Museum of the University of Memphis

ca. 19th/20th century

Neecole A. Gregory

AMUM cannot and will not warrant and represent that it owns all of the copyrights to the artworks in its collections. It can only warrant that AMUM is the owner of the objects depicted in its catalog. Anyone wishing to use images of artworks depicted on this site should contact AMUM or independently make a determination as to whether any third party is claiming to own the copyright to the same. Please contact us if you are the owner of the copyright in any of the material that has been reproduced on this website and you believe that the material infringes your intellectual property or any other rights. The material will be withdrawn from our website upon receipt of your written objection and our initial verification of your complaint, while the matter is investigated.

71.000x25.000xdepth 4.750
wood, carving

2008.2.110