Senufo Maternity Statue, 1920s, Wood

Superb Senufo "Maternity" Statue:

This statue depicts a woman seated on a stool, breastfeeding a newborn. It exhibits the characteristics of Senufo sculpture: a phototype that gives the impression of the anterior anatomical elements flowing forward and downward. The face has a very long muzzle projecting forward and downward.

The hair is styled in a central, anteroposterior crest.

The ears protrude, with three horizontal scarifications near each corner of the mouth. These bilateral scarifications evoke the primordial twins.

In very good overall condition, with some worm damage and a few losses, but superb preservation for its age. Senufo work from Ivory Coast, early 20th century.

Dimensions: 20 cm in diameter, 80 cm in height.

Origin: private collection.

Overview of the Senufo People:

The Senufo (Senufo - Siena):

Number approximately three million, they live in a large geographical area encompassing southern Mali in the Sikasso region, southwestern Burkina Faso, Ghana, and northern Ivory Coast.

They are known for their sculptural works: carved doors, masks, and large ritual statues called "pombibele," used during funerals by children undergoing Poro initiation.

The Senufo also produce maternity statues and various ceremonial and secular objects, both utilitarian and decorative, such as seats, walking sticks, and painted fabrics.

The Senufo are primarily farmers, producing yams (a climbing plant from tropical regions that yields edible tubers), cassava (a plant from tropical regions, belonging to the Euphorbiaceae family, whose edible root is used to make tapioca flour), millet (a small-grained cereal), and rice (a cereal belonging to the grass family).

They believe in a creator god named "Koulotiolo," who is inaccessible. However, each village has its own regenerative mother, "Katiéléo," accessible through an initiation process called "poro." This process is divided into three phases, each lasting seven years.

The first phase of poro is called "poworo" and concerns boys aged 7 to 12, who are initiated into agriculture and Senufo mythology. The second phase, "kwonro," includes military and liturgical teachings, as well as dances. The third phase, "tyologo," concerns adults; It is divided into twelve levels, the last of which is the "kafo".