Standing male figure "blolo bian" ·  Côte d'Ivoire, Baule · ID: 3041743

Description

wood, probably once entirely dyed with kaolin, which results in a greyish brown patina, fine work of carving with exceptionally beautiful facial features and elaborate coiffure, richly decorated with skin scarifications, missing parts (both legs below knees, plaits), rep. (left wrist/forearm), cracks, base;
in addition to the realms of the village (culture) and the bush (nature), the Baule also believe in a far-off place that they call “blolo”. It is a place “which exists beyond sensory experience”. The Other World is thought of as an ideal world, a place of exaggerated perfection. The “blolo” is inhabited by human spirits. It is the place from which comes the spirit of a newborn and the place to which a person’s spirit returns to death. It is also a place where each person has a partner of the opposite sex. A woman has an “Other World man” - “blolo bian” - , a man has an “Other World woman” - " blolo bla". With the help of fortunetellers, these “blolo” figurines can intervene in difficult situations or in crises in relationships. Such sculptures are especially useful for cases of childlessness. The infertile spouse spends several nights with a specially made figurine in order to conceive with the other spouse in a dream state. Offerings also encourage these “loved ones from the other world” to become active.

Publications

AHDRC: 0141953