Description:

The Dogon are known for their elaborate wood carving. They believe that the tree contains a spirit that must be satisfied, therefore the act of carving is a ritual. They have a rich and complex philosophical foundation on which their arts are based. The Hogon high priest of the Dogon inhabits a special house known as a "ginna". Nearby stand the Hogon granaries, where millet from his fields is stored. His granaries are larger than any of the other village residents’ granaries to ensure there will always be enough food for everyone. The granary doors are used to display carvings of Dogon mythology and cosmology. The doors have wooden bolts in the form of a sliding bar, as found all over West Africa. Serpentine stone head sculptures are from Zimbabwe.