Standing male figure "bataba phuwe" ·  Burkina Faso, Lobi · ID: 3033019

Description

wood, greyish brown, in some areas dark brown patina, symmetrical carved facial features with pointed nose and chin, missing parts (right hand), leg zone fragmentary, on base;
the Lobi differentiate between four types of “bateba” protective figures: “bateba phuwe” (the so-called “ordinary bateba”), “bateba bambar” (“paralyzed bateba”), “bateba ti puo” (“dangerous persons”) and “bateba ti bala” (“the extraordinary persons”). Present figure belongs to the type of “ordinary bateba”, because it shows no special gesture or any physiological symptom.