Figure - Nommo

Nommo is a central figure in Dogon cosmology and mythology. There are many versions about his origin. Following one of them, he was the first living being created by the god Amma. He had characteristics of both sexes and in time he reproduced himself, giving life to four pairs of equally hermaphroditic twins. One of these twin Nommo - Yurugu rebelled against the order established by the creator Amma and disrupted the process of creating the universe. To restore order and purify the newly created universe, Amma decided to sacrifice one of the remaining Nommo. His body was dismembered and scattered throughout existing space. From the various parts of his remains, Amma created eight ancestors of humanity, known in the Dogon oral tradition by the names: Amma Seru, Lebe Seru, Binu Seru and Dyungo Seru and their four nameless twins. When order triumphed in the universe, Nommo sacrificed to save it were resurrected and already as unisexual beings, together with their eight original ancestors and everything needed for normal functioning, were sent by Amma in an ark to Earth. The remaining Nommo also moved to the planet populated by the first ancestors, where they continued to act as guardians of the Universe and assist the Dogon ancestors.The Dogon cults of Lebe and Binu, the numerous altars, the offering of sacrifices on the wagem altars have their origins in the myth of Nommo sacrificed and then resurrected.Many of the figures carved by the Dogon are interpreted as representations of Nommo and allude to the relationship between the deity and the creator Amma and his relationship with humanity.

Ewa Prądzyńska