Standing female figure "blolo bla" ·  Côte d'Ivoire, Baoulé · ID: 3038217

Description

wood, matt blackish brown patina, regular facial features, elaborate carved coiffure, raised scarification marks on temples and neck, compact body rising from short chunky legs, retracted base, slightly dam. (left alar wing), minor missing parts (base), fissures (back, breastbone), base;
Baule woodcarvers produced these figurines for two distinct, unrelated rituals. Some figures were used by fortune-tellers as “spirit beings” (“asie usu”), while others were assigned to childless couples as “wives” (“blolo bla”) and “husbands” (“blolo bian”) from the realm of the unseen. The figurine types are almost impossible to distinguish from each other, and are termed “wooden people” (“waka sran”) by the Baule, who believe that every person has a partner who lives in the “other world”. 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.