Pair of figures "bateba thilkotina"

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Description

wood,

Such imposing male-female figure pairs were created for placement at shrines. According to Fagg, they represent twin spirits rather than married couples.

In Lobi society, immaterial spiritual divinities, called “thila”, are responsible for maintaining political, social, and moral order and and protecting the community from witchcraft and sorcery. The “thila” communicate through diviners they have selected as intermediaries.

If a person consults a diviner under certain conditions, such as a misfortune or illness, the “thila” may direct that a shrine figure be carved as part of the remedy. It is also they who determine the appearance of the figures and their size.

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Comparing literature

Bognolo, Daniela, Lobi, Milan 2007, p. 13, Fig. 3

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