Ancient Mother
Senufo · deity · Senufo traditional religion; continuing · Recorded classification
Entered as a deity (the female 'Ancient Mother' aspect of the Senufo supreme being and tutelary of Poro). 'Katyeleeo' = Ancient Mother; 'deble' (pl. debele) = rhythm pounder; 'pombibele' = 'those who give birth'. Sources: Glaze (1981); Holas (1957/1966); Met Museum.
Domains
- earth motherhood
- initiation protection
Powers
- to nurture and watch over the initiates of Poro and the community
- to sit in judgment over thieves and murderers
Relations
- companion: Creator GodReciprocal of senufo_kolotyolo.companion — Creator and Ancient Mother, the paired male and female aspects of the bipartite Senufo supreme being.Anita Glaze, Art and Death in a Senufo Village (1981) (secondary)
Sources
- Katyeleeo/Maleeo, the Senufo 'Ancient Mother', is the protective, nurturing female aspect of the bipartite supreme being and the guiding tutelary spirit of the Poro society; in some regions she is embodied in sacred drums of justice and honored with deble rhythm-pounder sculptures.: Anita J. Glaze, Art and Death in a Senufo Village (1981) (secondary); The Metropolitan Museum of Art, 'Senufo Arts and Poro Initiation in Northern Côte d'Ivoire', Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History (secondary)