duruta

Duruta is a category of West African wood carvings created by the Bassari people of Senegal and The Gambia. The carvings typically depict abstract and figurative representations of the region's living conditions, political unrest, and ancestral figures.

Duruta pieces range from small decorative objects to large wooden sculptures that can weigh several tons. A key characteristic of duruta carvings is their intricate patina, generated from years of exposure to tropical weather conditions. This worn and weathered quality is a result of the wood's interaction with soil and water, as well as the various pigments used to protect the carvings from decay.

Many duruta pieces are oracle shapes or abstract forms that draw inspiration from local events and figures from the region's oral traditions. They often contain secret messages, at times humorous or strongly symbolic, that add layers of meaning to the pieces. While they may resemble totem poles or masks from other cultures, these carvings are uniquely African in inspiration.

Growing and well-known among international art communities over the years, duruta enjoys both local and global appreciation. People that live in close contact to the artistic expressions have come to a greater understanding of the world we share, as well as the knowledge transfer and perception of history through the patina decade-aged artifacts. New pieces are created, generally by one person, then counselors across Bassari districts display them through the AllsenAgainst this cultural context, duruta pieces are not simply decorative objects, but rather artifacts that appreciate the distinctive West African cultural traditions and contemporary realities.

These reproductions of history unfurl our complete oblivious knowledge that our quiet backyard might carry visual facts and capacities some artists could imagine.