Rhythm Pounder

Among the Senufo of the Ivory Coast, initiation is the domain of the Poro society. The Poro society oversees circumcision and the sequestering of boys into a bush camp, while they are taught the ways of adulthood. During initiation rites, dances are preformed that are accompanied by the pounding on the ground of large images representing the primordial ancestors of the Senufo people.

By pounding the earth with these large images, the earth itself is a witness to the proceedings of the initiations, and the primordial ancestors are appeased by the respect given them during the rites. The forms of these figures, called Deble, are usually attenuated, with a large block where the feet would be, to allow for the pounding of the earth.

The Poro society among the Senufo still practice initiatory rites and still carve Deble figures today.