Figure - ancestor

The figure resembles a wooden pillar forked at the top, which is one of the structural elements of the building called togu-na. It is a special meeting place for men who usually belong to one large ginna family. Togu-na means great hut, but the Dogon often refer to it as house of the word. It is found in every village, or district in the case of large villages. The men spend their free time there, relaxing, talking and doing small jobs such as weaving baskets or twisting string. It is also where they discuss all the important issues affecting the whole village and make key decisions.Togu-na is the first building erected when a new settlement is established. It is always built on a rectangular plan. The only exceptions are the word houses in the three Youga villages (Youga Na, Youga Piri and Youga Dogorou), which are circular. The construction of togu na is based on eight pillars made of wood or stones stacked on top of each other. They symbolise the first eight ancestors. The first pillar erected is named after the oldest inhabitant of the village, who also starts the construction work. His death, even if it occurs long after togu-na has been constructed, is treated as a kind of sacrifice. The characteristic element of the house of the word, visible from very far away, is the roof, made of millet straw. Its thickness testifies to the wealth of the village.Men spend a lot of time in togu-na. It is always pleasantly cool there. They sit on mats, directly on rocks or wooden logs. Wooden pillars are often covered with bas-reliefs with representations referring to the cult of ancestors.

Ewa Prądzyńska