Man covering his eyes — Kissi, Sierra Leone — African tribal art — Ref. X20

Description

This stone statuette comes from the Kissi ethnic group, a people located mainly in Sierra Leone but also present in the border areas of Liberia and Guinea. The Kissi are known for their rich tradition of ritual objects, particularly stone figurines called “pomdo” or “nomoli”, artefacts often found in their lands. Historically, these sculptures were buried or placed in places of worship and are perceived as representations of the ancestors or as objects invested with mystical powers. This type of statuette is often associated with practices of protection and communication with the spiritual world, attesting to the importance of ancestor veneration in Kissi culture.
The statuette represents a crouching man, his hands covering his eyes. This unique posture is both intriguing and expressive, as if the figure were immersed in deep meditation or seeking protection from what he does not want to see. The sculpture is rudimentary, with roughly defined features, particularly at the level of the face, where the mouth is broad and seems fixed in a grimace. The rough texture and dark brown patina of the stone, dotted with lighter traces, suggest long exposure to the elements, reinforcing the idea of an old object affected by time. The stone itself, thick and granular, reflects ancestral craftsmanship, without excessive polishing, which is characteristic of utilitarian or ritual works among the Kissi.
The “pomdo”, or stone statuettes among the Kissi, are deeply symbolic and often surrounded by mystery. The man’s posture, covering his eyes, may be interpreted in several ways in a ritual context. This gesture may evoke a search for protection against invisible forces or a form of respect toward the spirits, as if the man were shielding himself from a spiritual gaze that could affect him. Alternatively, it may symbolise introspection and internal communication with the world of the ancestors, an act of contemplation and connection with the beyond. The Kissi believed that such stone figures served as protectors or guides, and it is not uncommon for these objects to have been used to invoke blessings or to guard against evil spirits. Sometimes, “pomdo” were activated during rituals to ensure the fertility of the land, the health of the community or the success of harvests.
In summary, this statuette is a powerful symbol of Kissi spirituality, representing both the link with the ancestors and protection against harmful energies. The choice of stone, a solid and timeless material, reinforces the idea of a permanent link with spiritual forces, and the fact that the man covers his eyes adds a dimension of mystery and respect for the invisible world.

Technical details

Type of piece

Statuette

Category

Statues

Ethnic group

Kissi

Country

Sierra Leone

Materials

stone brute

Dimensions

H 14 × W 7 × D 7 cm

Weight

0,763 kg

Estimated dating

second half 20th c.

Laboratory test

Not tested

Reference

X20