Seated Musician (Koro Player) - African Dogon Wood and Iron Sculpture, Central northern Bandiagara escarpment, Mopti Region, Mali, Late 18th Century

This figure wears a necklace called a korte. Consisting of a series of packets containing verses from the Qur’an, the korte is worn for protection—indicating the influence of Islam even among the Dogon, a largely non-Islamic people.

Source: brooklynmuseum.org