Dec 29, 2020
Stool Dogon peoples, Mali Late 19th to early 20th century Wood, pigment National Museum of African Art, gift of Walt Disney World Co., a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, 2005-6-40 Cosmic models. Dogon traditions describe the cosmos as two disks forming the sky and earth connected by a tree. The supporting figures represent the founding ancestors in their descent from sky to earth. The zigzag patterns suggest the path of their descent and flowing water and refer to the symbol of Lébé, the first human and priest who was transformed into a serpent after his death. The disk on top serves as an altar surface for libations.
https://africa.si.edu/exhibits/cosmos/cosmic.html
