Standing female "bateba" figure with child ·  Burkina Faso, Lobi · ID: 3042680

Description

wood, encrusted greyish brown patina, slightly dam., minor missing parts (left hand), cracks (right foot), base.
According to Piet Meyer such mother-and-child figures should help women to get pregnant. The “bateba” anticipate certain events, which humans shall imitate. A further purpose was to drive off an evil spirit that should become dangerous for a woman who already was pregnant. The evil spirit should enter the wood object instead of her womb.