Staff (Yo Domolo)
ClassificationsClothing and Adornments-staffs, scepters, & wands
Culture
Dogon
Date20th Century
Made AtMali, Africa
MediumWood
Dimensions20 1/2 × 11 × 1 1/2 in. (52.1 × 27.9 × 3.8 cm)
Credit LineGift of Anne and Long Shung Shih
Object number2019.15.14
DescriptionThis is a thief’s staff, or yo domolo, made by the Dogon culture of Mali in the 20th Century. These staffs were used by ritual thieves in funerals and less often in other ceremonies. Yo domolo were the hallmark of those who were part of the society of yona: ritual thieves. The society’s main activity is the theft of domestic animals from members of their clan so that they can be ritually sacrificed and eaten at funerals. Every Dogon clan has a ritual thief for this purpose.On View
Not on viewCollections
19th to early 20th Century
