Dagari
Burkina Faso
21 in.
Wood

This male statue shows the distinct patterns of scarification along his chest. The artistic rendering of a chameleon sits atop his head and contradicts his serious demeanor. The chameleon is involved in many omens and taboos. There is an example that dictates if a woman accidentally kills a chameleon while burning brush in the fields, her children are at risk of being injured. The children that survive this curse are then obliged to give thanks to their animal protector. The chameleon becomes "yawiige" for any child who is saved from death, he in return must wear a chameleon amulet that is kept by the household altar during their childhood until they reach adulthood, when they are proudly allowed to wear the splendid ornament. (67, African Arts)

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