Half figure "iran otibago" · Guinea-Bissau, Bidjogo · ID: 3032723
Alfons Bermel, Berlin, Germany
Description
wood, encrusted dark brown patina, arm- and legless trunk, elongated neck, min. dam., missing parts through insect caused damage, fissures, rest., on base;
such massive sculptures with the look of busts resting on a base, serve as receptacles for the souls of the ancestors. They encorporate spiritual beings, called “iran”. The highest spiritual being is the Big Spirit, called “iran grande”. The “iran” have various forms and bare various names according to their destination and geographic surroundings. The human “iran” were depicted in a seated posture, they were called “iran otibago”. “Iran” in creole means “object, loaded with sacred energy”, “otibago” means as much as “civilized”. The “iran otibago” are connected with terms like fertility, farming, nutrition and abundance.