Dogon Curved Ladder (Mali)

This Dogon ladder from Mali is a functional and spiritual object, deeply rooted in the traditions of the Dogon people, who inhabit the Bandiagara Escarpment in West Africa. Hand-carved from a single, heavy log, often from durable hardwood, these ladders are designed with two upright supports joined by notched steps. Over decades of use, exposure to the elements, and the touch of countless hands and feet, the surface develops deep crevices and a weathered patina, speaking to its long history.

In Dogon culture, ladders serve more than a practical role; they are also imbued with symbolic meaning. The act of climbing is seen as a passage from one state to another—physically from ground to roof or granary, and metaphorically from the earthly realm toward the spiritual world. In certain contexts, the ladder may be used in initiation rituals or ceremonies honoring ancestors, with each step representing stages of growth, knowledge, or spiritual elevation.

​In everyday life, Dogon ladders are indispensable for reaching the flat rooftops of village homes, as well as the elevated granaries that store millet and other crops. Villages along the cliffs and plateaus often require ladders to navigate the vertical landscape, making them a constant presence in Dogon architecture. This particular example, with its pronounced crevices and aged surface, reflects years of service within a community—its form shaped equally by the carver’s hand and by time itself.

​96in x 16.5in x 5.5in
​Misgana African Art Private Collection

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