Soul container figure "iran otibago" · Guinea-Bissau, Bissagos Islands, Bidjogo · ID: 3048803
Amyas Naegele, New York, USA (agent for the estate)
Description
wood, nails, encrusted sacrificial patina, pigments, missing parts, insect caused damage, base
These figures serve as homes for the souls of revered deceased. They provide the living with a means of cummunicating with the ancestors as well as with the surpeme deity (“orrebuco-ocoto”).
An “iran otibago” can belong to an individual or to an entire village. In either instance it is given offerings and appealed to for a wide range of personal and communal concerns.
The “iran” were called in case of illness, civil disputes, to investigate and punish witchcraft or to confirm a village chief. It is reported that before each arable activity animal sacrifices were offered to the “iran” and after the harvest a part of the yield had to be sacrificed to him.
Publications
AHDRC: 0156637