Mali, former Dogon attic shutter with its lock.

Mali, former dogon attic shutter with its lock. These shutters are intended to close the openings of granaries or simply domestic pantry. Carved by the village blacksmith for the hogon (spiritual and religious leader) and notables, the shutters are a major element of dogon art. Usually the motifs present either scenes of creation of the world as, or animal symbols, or others, which are all warnings to dissuade anyone from opening and appropriating all or part of the content.