Statuette protectrice "bateba ti puo" ·  Burkina Faso, Lobi · ID: 3042395

Description

light brown wood, partly encrusted brown patina, standing figure with overlong outstretched arms, min. dam., insect caused damage, cracks, traces of abrasion, base;
present figure belongs to the type of “dangerous persons” (“ti puo”), they show a defense attitude, elevating one or both hands next to the head to block the house for invisible enemies, they are even more effective in fighting witches. Women of the Lobi show this gesture after the death of a family member in order to ward off evil.