Madeö (ambivalent spirit) altar figure
Men's Poro and women's Sandogo associations commit themselves to the physical and spiritual well-being of Senufo communities. Although divination in northern Côte d'Ivoire is most often associated with Sandogo women, not all diviners are members of the organization. Senior Poro members and other enterprising men also establish divination practices. The height of this sculptural pair suggests that the pair served as spirit figures on an altar belonging to a senior member of Poro. Sculptures on divination altars reflect the status, prestige, and skill of their owners and appeal to spiritual intermediaries. This pair of spirit figures, or madebele (sing.: madeö), differs from the taller pombibele (sing.: pombia) sculptures that Poro members carry in procession or place in a central courtyard during funeral and commemorative ceremonies for deceased Poro elders.
The female figure in this pair stands taller than its male companion, reflecting an aesthetic choice common in Senufo sculpture. Artists elevate the stature of the female form to honor women and allude to their maternal roles in Poro, an initiation cycle that transforms uninitiated boys into productive adults. Membership in Poro is largely male and in Sandogo is largely female. The arts and practices of both institutions demonstrate the interdependence of both genders.
Artwork Details
- Title: Madeö (ambivalent spirit) altar figure
- Artist: Senufo artist
- Date: late 19th–mid-20th century
- Geography: Côte d'Ivoire, Korhogo, Bandama River
- Culture: Senufo peoples
- Medium: Wood, pigment
- Dimensions: H. 23 3/4 in. × W. 5 1/2 in. × D. 5 in. (60.3 × 14 × 12.7 cm)
- Classification: Wood-Sculpture
- Credit Line: The Michael C. Rockefeller Memorial Collection, Bequest of Nelson A. Rockefeller, 1979
- Object Number: 1979.206.193
- Curatorial Department: The Michael C. Rockefeller Wing
More Artwork
Press the down key to skip to the last item.
Related Content
Timeline of Art History
Entries from The Met's art encyclopedia.
Publications
Books, guides, and catalogues published by The Met.
Free to download
Research Resources
The Met provides unparalleled resources for research and welcomes an international community of students and scholars. The Met's Open Access API is where creators and researchers can connect to the The Met collection. Open Access data and public domain images are available for unrestricted commercial and noncommercial use without permission or fee.
To request images under copyright and other restrictions, please use this Image Request form.
Feedback
We continue to research and examine historical and cultural context for objects in The Met collection. If you have comments or questions about this object record, please complete and submit this form. The Museum looks forward to receiving your comments.