Standing male figure "lü mä" ·  Côte d'Ivoire, Dan · ID: 3036588

Description

wood, middle brown patina, remains of black paint, characteristic form, the eye-zone spread with kaolin in a linear line, the oval mouth provided with metal theeth, strong abrasion of paint, rep. (both arms in the shoulder area/fixed by nails), wooden base;
“lü mä” are not thought to represent ritual ancestors or protective spirits, they are rather portraits of living persons, even carrying the name of an individual human. In case an important member of the council of the elders died, such a figure could be posted at the place where he used to take a seat, in order to remind the gathering of his person and of his attitude.