Mali
Dogon

Wood, metal, rattan
Mid 20th Century
Height: 18.75 in w/stand; Width: 13 in w/stand; Depth: 5 in
Idiophone – Struck Indirectly – Shaken – Sistrum

There are three important dates in Dogon’s life: Birth, Circumcision, and Death.  The group or age bracket of boys going through circumcision is called ‘Tumo.’  During the initiation period of approximately three weeks, the boys spend most of their time singing for alms while playing the sistrum. This percussion instrument is made of a whole or parts of a calabash, and is called ‘kebele’ by the Dogon people.