Anthropomorphic head "gle" ·  Côte d'Ivoire / Liberia, Cavally Region, Dan or Wè / Guéré-Wobé · ID: 3049050

Description

terracotta, feathers, mirror glass, animal hair, metal, blackish mass, paint,

A “gle” head was a sacred object and was considered a kind of spirit that was consulted especially in divination practices.

The head was modelled from clay to which all kinds of magical substances were added and which was also coated with power-giving substances to fully activate its powers.

It has been observed that a female medium, sitting on a grass mat, carried such a “gle” head on her head. Placed in a trance state, she was able to consult the spirit personified in the “gle” head and solve the problem presented to her.