Ancestral carving shaped like hornbill bird, as used by the Senufo

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This figure is thought to represent the mythical founder of the human race, existing in the form of a hornbill. It was placed on the head of new members as they joined a secret men's society called the Korogho Society.

Carved from a single piece of wood, this hornbill is shown with rectangular wings outstretched. Three snakes, another item of symbolic significance in Senufo culture, are shown on the front of the wings. The underside of its base is hollow.

The ancestors have traditionally been revered in Africa south of the Sahara, and called upon to help the living. The hornbill, whose names include 'kasingele' - 'the first ancestor', is connected with the origin of the Senufo people.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-180-000-793-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland Part 2
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1961.1111
• Date: Mid 20th century
  
• Material: Figure, totemic
  
• Dimensions: 18.00" W x 53.00" H
  
• What: Figure, totemic
  
• Subject: Carvings and masks
  
• Who:
• Where: Ivory Coast, Upper Ivory Coast
  
• Event:
• Description: Massive totemic figure carved in soft wood, in the form of a toucan with outstretched, with the body interpenetrating a rectangular board: West Africa, Ivory Coast, Upper Ivory Coast, Senofo peoples,
  
• References:
  • Goldwater, R. J . Senufo Sculpture from West Africa. Greenwich, Conn,: New York Graphic Society, 1964 . 
  • Phillips, T (ed). Africa: The Art of a Continent. London: Royal Academy of Arts, 1995, 457 
  • Sheridan, J A (ed). Heaven and Hell and Other Worlds of the Dead. Edinburgh: National Museum of Scotland, 2000. 
• Translations:
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