The Senoufo

The Senoufo people are scattered across the Ivory Coast, Mali and Burkina Faso; their traditional culture is based on agriculture, supplemented by hunting.

>> Initiation into the Poro society largely serves as tribal cohesion, ultimately resulting in the unity of the Senoufo people. Theology is based on Koulotiolo, a powerful god, and Kateleo, goddess mother who is given the power to renew the world through the rituals of Poro society.

>> Senoufo masks and statuary possess great realism, highly geometric forms and a differing yet unifying style; divination, ritual and sacrifice hold an important place in Senoufo culture, as all decisions and acts are determined by the genius bush spirits who communicate with man in the bush or in dream.

>> The sacred and ritual nature of Senoufo art is undeniable and is expressed in the form of masks, statuary, amulets and everyday objects.

+ Senoufo Kpelie Wood Face Mask Poro Society