Kneeling "Dyougou Serou" Figure with Hands over Eyes

A rare kneeling naked figure, both arms bent at the elbow, the hands covering the face, the eyes felineated by extended zig-zag patterns. This is a type of figure was originally interpreted as representing Dyongon Seru, the first man created by Amma the Creator. The myth (which is highly symbolic) tells how Seru committed incest with his mother the earth and as a result was endowed with the gift of the first word. Said to depict the concept of shame for this "misdeed", which resulted in the creation of human beings directly, this interpretation has recently been questioned. Apparently there is no indication that in Dogon culture covering the face is a gesture of shame. Alternate interpretations are that this is either a gesture of mourning or commemorates the installation ceremony of a "binu" priest when offerings are poured over the head of the supplicant who immediately afterwards raises his hands to wipe the sacrificial liquids from his eyes. Carved from a very dense hard wood, the surface brought to a high polish, but now pitted from termites. Good natural aged patina.
Height: 20.5 inches (52.1 cm.)

DG018

Related examples of this subject are in the collections of the Musee de l'Homme, Paris (Ht: 40 cm.) and in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York (Hts: 29.5 cm., and 13.7 cm.), USA..