Wooden statue of Nommo twins - Mali - Africa - early 20th century

The Nommo Twins are mythological figures that come from the religious and cultural traditions of the Dogon , an ethnic group that lives mainly in Mali, West Africa.

Dogon mythology is very rich and complex, and one of the central aspects of their cosmology concerns the Nommo , who are described as ancestral, semi-divine beings, associated with water and creation.

According to mythology, the Nommo were "twin" beings sent by the supreme god Ama to bring knowledge and order to the world.

They are often described as amphibious or water-like beings, and represent duality, the concept of order and universal balance.

The story of the Nommo Twins is linked to a cosmogonic tale, where the Nommo are sent to Earth to teach humans about agriculture, culture and morality.

However, in Dogon mythology, there is also talk of a conflict between these beings, and some tales speak of a betrayal, with one of the twins being punished.

The most fascinating aspect of this mythology is the astonishing astronomical knowledge of the Dogon, who seem to know accurate details about the stars and star systems, particularly regarding Sirius , the star that has been associated with the Nommo.

Some scholars have been surprised that the Dogon knew details about Sirius B, an unseen companion to Sirius A, well before the star was discovered by scientists in 1970.

This has fueled theories and speculation about the origins of the Dogon's knowledge, with some hypotheses suggesting ancient contact with extraterrestrial civilizations.

In summary, the Nommo Twins are central figures in Dogon mythology, linked to creation, water, and duality, and their story is part of a larger belief system that includes incredible astronomical knowledge.

Our exceptionally large statue represents a pair of twins, a male and a female, recognizable not only by their sexual attributes, but also because the female is holding a ladle, a symbol of a hospitable and generous woman in many African cultures.

Many more detailed photos are missing and photos of the back where a quiver is carved on the shoulders of the male and an ancestor on the shoulders of the female. The stool on which they are carved, have caryatids as columns that represent the other twins of the myth. (we will update as soon as possible)

It measures approximately 108 x 40 x 36 cm. The statue apparently shows over a century of life.