Trois sculptures de tête ·  Ghana, Koma-Builsa/Komaland · ID: 3042682

Description

terracotta, remains of pigments, cylindrical objects with bearded faces, tapering at the bottom and bowl-shaped deepened at the upper end, where they are modelled with cowrie shell-like emblems, drilled holes, various sizes (14 cm -17 cm), slightly dam., minor missing parts (above all at the rim of bowl-shaped deepening), each mounted on pedestal.
According to E. A. Dagan such heads were found stuck in the ground in a circular fashion around graves which were covered with stones. A fact that indicates that they were associated with burial rites or customs. They were said to be used for liquid sacrifices. Divination fluid was poured into the bowls to flow through the nostrils and ears and drip onto the earth. The cowrie shell represents the female sex.

Littérature comparée

Dagan, Esther A., Spirits without boundaries, Canada 1989