Equestrian Figure
Senufo Tribe, Ivory Coast
Wood

H: 14"
Inventory # 10561

Originally part of a sando's (a diviner’s) group of display figures, bandeguele equestrian figures typically depict a madebele on his steed. Madebele are nature spirits with healing powers who are believed to possess some human traits, such as appreciating music, dance, and beautiful sculpture.

An equestrian sculpture would be especially attractive to the madebele because it expresses authority, mobility, status, wealth, and beauty. A client would have confidence in a diviner who owned such an equestrian figure, because only very successful diviners could afford to acquire them.