A Togu Na - "house of words" - stands in every Dogon village and marks the male social center.
The low ceiling, supported by carved or sculptured posts, prevents over zealous discussions from escalating into fights.
Symbolic meaning surrounds the Togu Na. On the Gondo Plain, Togu Na pillars are carved out of Kilé wood and often express themes of fertility and procreation.
Many of the carvings are of women's breasts, for as a Dogon proverb says, "The breast is second only to God."
Unfortunately, collectors have stolen some of the more intricately carved pillars, forcing village elders to deface their Togu Na posts by chopping off part of the sculpted wood.
This mutilation of the sculpted pillars assures their safety.
