Small female figure "tugubele" ·  Côte d'Ivoire, Sénoufo · ID: 3040673

Description

wood, blackish brown patina, encrusted in some areas, characteristic posture, accentuated mouth, incised scarification marks, carved with bracelets, slightly dam., cracks, abrasion of paint, base;
such figures belong to single persons, mainly soothsayers. They are indispensable for getting into contact with the “tugubele”, the small invisible and omnipresent bush spirits. The “tugubele” promise to help their human partners, when they are appreciated accordingly, which means that a figure has to be carved, representing them. Just like the bush spirits such figures are called “tugubele”.