Calling the Ancestors | A Staff with Figure & Bells

The figure atop this staff may be one of the Nommo, one of the primordial twins. The crosshatches on his chest may indicate this as the Nommos are said to have fish-like scales as skin. This staff may be made of iron, meaning it has powerful spiritual properties. The Hogan uses iron objects to usher the energies of the universe. Furthering its religious abilities, bells or talismans would be hung from the hooks to both offer protection and summon ancestral spirits, such as Nommo. The prongs at the bottom indicate that this staff could have been put into the ground. 

Dogon/Mali Culture

ca. 19th/20th Century 

Metal, possibly iron

Gift of Martha and Robert Fogelman 

2008.2.23