Walu Mask
Dogon · Mali
Reference: MFZ-65
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- Height
- 51 cm
- Material
- Wood, rope and pigments
Walu is the mystical dogon antelope commissioned by the creator god Amma to protect the sun from the lulls of Yurugu, the pale fox, which is…
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Full original description
Walu is the mystical dogon antelope commissioned by the creator god Amma to protect the sun from the lulls of Yurugu, the pale fox, which is the symbol of disorder and insubmission and wanted to take over the sun. The fox believed the sun was his sister Yasigi. Since it was impossible for him to access the sun, the fox decided to take revenge on Walu and dug numerous holes in the ground that caused the antelope to fall, which was badly wounded. Then Amma appointed one of the eight primordial ancestors to heal him, but despite these care Walu died as a result of his wounds. The dance of the Walu mask, relates this episode.
It represents the hypothragus as well as the Gurunsi and the Kurumbaalthough the horns of the hippotrago or antelope horse are longer and curved. Time skate.
Further technical information
- Width
- 20 cm
- Attributed period
- First third century XX
Details transcribed from the original catalogue; they are not a recent physical inspection.
Country on the map
Mali. The country associated with the catalog is shown, not the current location of the piece.
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Attributions, dates and accounts come from the preserved catalogue. They do not constitute certification of authenticity or provenance. An object’s presence on this website does not mean it is available for sale.
