Standing male figure "bateba phuwe" ·  Burkina Faso, Lobi · ID: 3032356

Description

wood, partly encrusted brown patina, crude carved body and facial features, “phisa” coiffure, dam., missing parts (feet), insect caused damage, 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.