Zélé-Zana Coulibaly, Sienre
It is possible, that there were also female statues to complete a Tugubele couple. But there are also single statues known presenting a Senufo Spirit, called Nyingife.
Typical for Zélé-Zana's style are the organicly shaped upper bodies and, in contrast, the cylyndric legs. The rugged carved eyes have the shape of coffee beans. It is not a coincidence that both figures wear the Tefala-Ndong, a braided hat, worn as a symbol of wisdom by wise old farmers. On one hand it is a characteristic style element, like Bakari Coulibaly's Syonfolô statues, of Zélé-Zana for his Tugubele, they also carry the meaning of the symbol for a wise man.
All statues show an excellent patina, caused by the black wood stain. Black parts look like varnish paint, underneath there is a slight reddish colour shining through. The edges show traces of usage. These Tugubele also show cracks. Koulés do like to carve these small statues out of freshly cut limbs.
In detail every statue varies. The eyebrows of the left statue are hatched and the face has two scars, the one in the middle does have just one scar and the right male Tugubele has three facial scars, which are a sign for a Senufo.
Male Tugubele statue, carved by Koulé Zélé-Zana Coulibaly, Sienré.
7,5 x 5,0 x 5,0 cm, wood.
Collected by Karl-Heinz Krieg. Time of creation around 1950.
Published:
- Wenn Brauch Gebrauch beeinflusst, Markus Ehrhard, page 148.
- Wenn Neuordnung Ordnung schafft, Markus Ehrhard page 96.
Male Tugubele statue, carved by Koulé Zélé-Zana Coulibaly, Sienré.
9,5 x 4,5 x 4,5 cm, wood.
Collected by Karl-Heinz Krieg. Time of creation around 1950.
Published:
- Wenn Neuordnung Ordnung schafft, Markus Ehrhard page 96.