Fertility Aid | A Pregnant Rider

Though this figure has status as a rider on horseback, it is also possible that it aided women as they prayed for fertility. The androgynous nature of this figure shows the Dogon belief that the union of male and female both made the perfect being and also helped with fertility. The figure encircles its stomach, which is round and protruding as if pregnant. This is a common gesture in Dogon art depicting pregnancy. 

Dogon/Mali Culture

ca. 15th/19th century

Metal, possibly iron, cast

Gift of Martha and Robert Fogelman 

2008.2.42