Ceremonial ladle "wunkirmian" or "wakemia" ·  Côte d'Ivoire, Dan · ID: 3050425

Description

wood,

Spoons “wunkirmian” (or “wakemia”) are awarded as a symbol of honour and status to women who have achieved the title of a ‘wunkirle’ or “wakede” - “at feasts acting woman”. A title of great distinction, it is given to the most hospitable woman of a village quarter.

In addition to being emblems of honor, “wunkirmian” also hold spiritual power. They are a Dan woman’s chief liaison with the power of the spirit world and a symbol of that connection. Among the Dan, the “wunkirmian” have been assigned a role among women that is comparable to that which masks serve among the men.

In that context, one of the “wunkirle’s” responsibilities is preparing the large feast that accompanies masquerade ceremonies. When a woman has been selected as the main hostess of such a feast, she parades through town carrying the large ladle as an emblem of her status. She is followed by a line of women from her quarter, each carrying a pot of cooked rice or soup. With help from her numerous assistants (usually female relatives or friends), she distributes grains and coins to the children of the community while dancing and singing. (Source: Yaëlle Biro, The MET, 2016)