The woman who gives life has been revered since the beginning of human time. Her image has represented hope, stability, the continuation of life, and a connection with divinity for many peoples. Almost all cultures, no matter where they dwelt or how they worshiped, have honored the image of the woman and the mother.
The Senufo image of their “Original Mother” is a powerful reminder of her sacred role, which is depicted in their art as well as in their lives. The figure of the image of the seated or standing woman, often breastfeeding a child, also tells their story of creation.
The mystery of the conception of a life was explained as the union of the Spirit with the woman. The Spirit was in the form of the sacred image of the “Porpianong,” a bird symbolizing fertility, representing the Hornbill bearing seeds of life among its other powers. Sculptures depicting this act of creation show a woman with a bird on her head, and in everyday life women of childbearing age would have their hair done to show the bird on their head, a sign of fertility. In the not so distant past, all women of childbearing age embodied an image of this creation story in themselves.
Thus, the sacred feminine spirit was seen everywhere in the village – in the family courtyard, at the market, on the paths of the fields, at all the village festivals – visible in the being of every mature woman and mother. The sacred is part of daily life, recognizing once again the ever-present connection between the human and the divine.
The symbolism of hair style
In Senufo society, hair played an important symbolic role indicating one’s place in the life cycle, one’s rights, and responsibilities. It was an age-graded society, where people were very conscious of their place in the life continuum. Relationships were based on generational names indicating age, like when I was called either “older” or “younger” brother. This placement made clear who had authority over whom. Elder men wore beards indicating their esteemed position in life and their authority.
Below hairstyle for children birth through
age seven.
Besides authority, hairstyle indicated social role. The Senufo observed a seven-year cycle. Every seven years a person passed to the next stage of life with different knowledge, rights and duties often marked by change of hairstyle. This was even more important for females. For women, the most significant hairstyle came when they were of childbearing age. At that time their hair was braided to represent a bird nesting upon the head. This was an icon of fertility and represented conception, union of the bird (spirit) and the woman. These images prevailed in the Madonna-like statues that the Senufo carved, and on many masks. After childbearing age women shaved their heads.
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Next: The Spirit of Man – Protector of Life
If woman is the giver of life, then man is the protector of life. In many cultures protection is linked to a military or warrior concept. The Senufo are mainly a peaceful people and the strength of their culture is widely respected. The greatest protection for a people is the respect they earn. (Read More >>)