DÉBLÉ


Meaning of DÉBLÉ in English

Wooden female figure carved by the Senufo people of West Africa.

It was used as a "rhythm pounder" in dance rituals to promote the fertility of the soil. The Poro (or Lo) male secret society held the figures by the upper arms and pounded them on the ground to keep the rhythm as they performed the fertility dance. The figures were also placed in the fields during digging contests.

Britannica Concise Encyclopedia.      Краткая энциклопедия Британика.