Female statue with mortar and pestle

Title: Female Statue with Mortar and Pestle
Material: Carved wood, brown patina
Geographical Area: Bamana (Bambara), Mali
Date: 20th century
Dimensions: h. 173 x 40 x 49 cm
Iconography and Symbolism: The act of pounding symbolizes transformation and collective nourishment. The mortar is an emblem of agricultural fertility and the continuity of the community. The carvings recall the identity and spiritual signs of Bamana culture. Man becomes the archetype of work and social discipline.
Function: Statues associated with initiatory societies (jo, kore), as didactic and ritual images. Displayed during agricultural ceremonies or collective rites, they ensured the fertility of the fields and abundance. Symbolic protection in places of worship: they strengthened social order and the bond with the ancestors.
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