Figure for the Sando and Poro Societies

This composite figure—perhaps unique in Western collections—illustrates the reuse of powerful objects in African ritual contexts. The body of the figure originally was part of a sculpture that represented a spiritual force for Sando, a prominent Senufo matrilineal society with a powerful branch of diviners. The head and right arm of the figure were broken off at some point, either accidentally or deliberately. Later, members of Poro, a secret men’s society also in Senufo regions, adapted the remains for their own ritual use. While there are a few known cases of fully realized Sando figures being adopted for use in Poro rituals, this figure is the only one known to have been repaired and adapted for this use. The head that was added and bound to the original Sando figure represents a korubla mask of the type used in Poro initiatory rites. This head still displays heavy encrustations of chewed and spat cola offerings accumulated during its use as an amulet or ritual object by a member of the Poro society.