Standing male figure "obrafo" ·  Ghana, Ashanti · ID: 3037677

Description

wood, shiny reddish brown patina, kaolin, separate worked arms, fixed by nails, nearly horizontally stretched to the front, coiffure and face spread with thick encrusted greyish brown patina, dam., missing parts through insect caused damage (breast, right blade bone, above all right foot), crack backside, two finger tips of the left hand missing, plate;
presumably depicting an executioner, once holding a sword with the right and the head of an executed with the left hand. In an Akan court certain functionaries known as “abrafo” (“obrafo” sing.) serving as the king’s constabulary were responsible for the king’s person, policing the court and for certain ritual and ceremonial duties. They were also responsible for the enforcement of punishments assigned by the king. “Abrafo” also carried out executions for certain state or religious ceremonies that in the past required human sacrifice.

Littérature comparée

van der Pas, Kathy et. al. (ed), Aspects, Akan cultures in Ghana, The Hague 2001, p. 77