 The hippopotamus is a water animal that travels on land and embodies wealth and danger. Hippos provide wealth in terms of ivory and meat. They are very aggressive and can be dangerous to humans--whether in a boat or on land--caught between the hippo and the water. While its wallows are destructive to shore and shallows, the hippo's actions do not stir up quite the same negative emo- tions as the crop destruction of other animals. Crocodiles also pose a threat on and by the water. Surprisingly, although the actual beast is a danger, its roles in art and oral literature are positive. Among the Dogon peoples the crocodile is described as a protector of scarce pools of water and a servant of the nommo, the mythic beings involved in the creation of mankind and culture. Crocodile masks are part of a complex ritual cycle of masks in initiations, funerals and, after the mid-20th century, entertainment performances. The crocodiles in the painting by Kaballa, a member of a central African modernist art movement, appear to be guarding or nurturing their eggs (acc. no. 2002-11-4). A wealthy person would have owned the large Akan crocodile weight (acc. no. 75-3-490), and the "crossed crocodiles have one belly but when eating they fight" weight (acc. no. 75-3- 290) conveys the meaning that, as in any family, there is unity in diversity. It can also be a mockery of greediness because in the end all goes to the same place.
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