The Senufo people of northern Côte d’Ivoire create a variety of sculptures, primarily linked to the Poro society, led by the female ancestral spirit, “the Ancient Mother.”

All adult Senufo men are members of Poro, which preserves religious and historical traditions. During initiation, young men learn through sculptural figures, some of which are carried in processions to summon ancestral spirits. The Ancient Mother, the spiritual guardian of the initiates and the community, is kept in a sacred grove. Poro uses various masks, including kponyugu and kpelie masks, to represent female spirits and encapsulate Poro knowledge.

Women also participate in a parallel initiation society called Sandogo, which houses small sculptures, images of the messenger python (fo), and divination tools. Sandogo shrines feature intricately carved doors. Senufo artists, particularly in Karhogo, also create sculptures, brass figures, and textiles for the tourist market.

Source: Britannica