Baule Divination Striker Côte d'Ivoire

A Baule divination striker—called a lawle or lawre waka—is a finely carved wooden mallet used by komien (trance diviners) in Côte d’Ivoire. The diviner strikes a small iron gong in a steady, rhythmic pattern, helping induce a state of possession that allows communication with nature spirits (asye usu) and reveals the causes of misfortune.

The lawle serves as a tool to trigger trance, enabling the diviner to act as a medium through which spirits diagnose illness or social imbalance.

These strikers are often intricately carved, especially at the handle, with human figures, animal forms, or sacred bo nun amuin mask imagery.

Typically P-shaped and sometimes featuring a coiled, serpent-like handle, the striker may include small holes or padding to soften and enrich the tone when striking the iron gong.

The craftsmanship reflects the diviner’s status, adding visual drama and authority to the ritual performance.

Kokowa are simple, functional strikers, while lawle are more elaborate and artistically refined.

Height (In): 13.0
Width (In): 1.0
Depth (In): 3.5