Standing female figure "blolo bla" ("waka sona")

Description

wood, brown patina, encrusted in some areas, striking long fingers, abundant decor with scarification marks, the facial plane concentrated on a rather small area, showing geometrical facial features (sharp contour, flat chin, ornamental brows, a narrow rectangular mouth), missing parts through insect caused damage (lobes, base), cracks, on pedestal;
presumably representing a “blolo bla” figure, the female statuette of a “wife from the other world”, which - according to the Baule - every human has. Because of the traces of libation it could be a representation of an “asie usu” bush spirit as well. The figures of bush spirits are displayed between the fortune teller and the client during a public performance. The figures always have to be handled with care in order to win “asie usus” goodwill and help in telling the future or inquiring causes of misfortune. But unless collected in situ, the actual function of a figure cannot reliably be determined.