Figure, Pomdo or Nomoli

Small stone figures like this example are often found in rice fields by Kissi and Mende farmers. They are thought to be some of the earliest known African art objects. The figures are attributed to the Sapi and Bullom cultures because they bear a striking stylistic resemblance to "Afro-Portuguese" ivories and have thus been dated to the mid-16th century.

Two different styles of nomoli or pomdo can be determined: coastal and interior. This figure can be placed in the interior style due to its open mouth with teeth bared, small ears, attenuated arms and legs, and androgynous nature.

Today these figures, known as nomoli by the Mende and pomdo by the Kissi, are placed in the rice fields to ensure good crops. Stone pomdo are also placed inside the enclosures of wooden pomtans, a type of Kissi object created for divination purposes.