Dogon Door

Mrs wife traveled extensively across West Africa in the 90's so we have a myriad of unusual bits and bob's ,Dogon granaries are often adorned with exquisitely carved wooden doors. Decorations vary according to the particular type of building, as does the symbolism of the sculpted figures. The granary stores the crops of all the inhabitants of a village who wish to place their provisions under the guardianship of the lineage elder. The lineage elder is charged, among other things, with carrying out the various rites consecrated to the "souls" of cultivated plants. The door is made of two wooden panels held together with iron bands. The carved figures represent the lineage and, together with the pair of "breasts," symbolize fertility, the birth of children being considered a source of joy and a promise of riches.
Its only in the last couple of years that the very strong wood smoke smell has faded which gave you a real sense of where it came from.
I just love the wooden boobies!
Still nothing compared to yogamamas blip 16th May 2010.