From the Telem Tribe of Mali. This functional piece is quite old and was used for entering their adobe style home, which had the entry door elevated to prevent animals from wandering in. The "Y" was placed under one of the roof support beams to keep it from falling over. On one side of the ladder is the steps , photo #16, along with two figures at the top. On the reverse side is a figure at the top with stretched out arms and then two figures at the bottom. The figures identify the tribe that it came from. It stands 64" tall by 18" at the widest and is displayed on a 24" round metal plate stand. View the base.