ANCESTRAL SECRETS

I am often asked about the symbolism behind my carved doors so I decided to write a post about it.

This door is called Ancestral Secrets. It is based on the shape and concept of the Dogon granary doors from Mali. It is a door of protection... protecting whoever or whatever lies behind the door, whether it is grain, wealth, information, knowledge, herbs, medicines, healing secrets, survival secrets, household secrets, precious things, people, family etc.

As in the authentic granary doors, I have rows of ancestor figures to stand guard, to watch over the owner of the door. They also stand as a link between man and God.


The central motive is a metal CROSS and carved wooden FACE.

This type of cross is a universal beware, no entry sign to stop unauthorized people from entering. This includes uninvited guests or intruders .... someone who would steal the secrets.

The face within the cross symbolizes the centre of the world, the NAVEL OF THE EARTH. In Africa a large navel is a sign that a powerful spirit has left the womb. The four arms of this cross symbolize the 4 directions, the 4 corners of the earth as well as the 4 elements.

The central face also stands for the SUN which brings light into the darkness and nurtures life. It is ascribed great healing powers. In Africa (and other countries) offerings are often made to the Sun. I have incorporated the offering bowl into the bird which is flying toward the sun.


* BIRD
Birds are messengers of God. They also stand for fertility, love, clairvoyance, power, danger, discipline, prudence .... and laughter. The pigeon is a symbol of reciprocal love.


* SNAKE
The Senufo people consider the snake to be a symbol of rebirth as it sheds it's skin annually. It is also a teacher of healing. Healing within the family ... the tribe. Offerings are often brought to snakes. (See the bird offering bowl opposite the snake)

* TORTOISE
The keeper of tribal secrets. It is protected by its shell and because it can carry its house of secrets wherever it goes it is considered highly intelligent.

* Key and Lock:-
Secrets are kept under lock and key.

* Arrow heads:-
Another sign of protection.

* Small leather packages :-
Hunters will wear little packages of herbs and magic around their necks or sewn onto their hunting jackets. These will give the hunter protection, strength, courage, wisdom as well as making the hunter invisible to the enemy (or animals they are hunting). I have attached these muti packages to the door to give these qualities to the owner of the door.

* Leather Purse:-
Wealth


* Black and white patterning:-
Represents the contrasts of dark and light,
good and evil,
male and female,
ignorance and knowledge

White also stands for purity and protection.

* Various markings:-
Record births, deaths, livestock etc.

More about the symbolism here.

COWS FOR LOBOLA

Even with urbanization the ancient tradition of Lobola is still very much alive in Africa. Lobola is a dowry paid by a prospective husband to the family of the bride. Though payment in cows is the old way, new traditions are creeping in and many families are requesting cash payments rather than cattle.

The idea for carving this door came from the story about a young woman my mum met at the Hair Salon. Thembi was a shampooist there and much to the delight of customers she would regail them with stories about the waitressing job she did in the evenings. Though she had been engaged to marry for well over a year the couple didn't seem any closer to setting a wedding date because it was taking so long to raise the money to buy the cows for her Lobola. Thembi was proud of the fact that she was worth 20 cows but she was also exhausted since she was having to waitress in addition to her day job at the salon so as to help her fiance raise the cash.

In modern society one would think that Lobola would be less serious then it used to be but apparently the families of both bride and groom would be mortified if this custom was not adhered to. It is quite a formal affair with the two families meeting to negotiate the bride price, often with tensions running high. A bottle of brandy is usually placed in the middle of the table to relax the two parties. It seems to set the mood for calmer discussions whether the bottle is opened or not. Negotiations take one or two days though I've heard of a case where 6 months later the price had still not been decided upon.

P.S. See if you can find the cow with the crumpled horn.