Sculpture d'oiseau "lumbr" ·  Burkina Faso, Lobi · ID: 3046553

Description

wood, encrusted patina, base

Even the carving of these bird sculptures took place on order of the “thila”. Like the “bateba” figures they were placed on shrines.

When the owner of a “lumbr” was threatened with danger while he was away from home, e. g. working in the fields, visiting a market or simply travelling, the “thil” could send this bird after him - not the wooden one, but a living bird of the same species - who calls on him to visit a diviner as soon as possible.

The threatening danger could be cleared up and he learned how to face it.

Publications

AHDRC: 0170879