Protective figure "bateba ti puo" ·  Burkina Faso, Lobi · ID: 3040883

Description

wood, matt greyish brown patina, slightly dam., cracks, various drilled holes (head, stomach), traces of insect caused damage (right arm, stomach, left leg), base;
present figure belongs to the type of “dangerous persons” (“ti puo”), they show a defense attitude, elevating one or both hands next to the head to block the house for invisible enemies, they are even more effective in fighting witches. Women of the Lobi show this gesture after the death of a family member in order to ward off evil.