Baule Split Gong Côte d'Ivoire

This carved wooden split gong originates from the Baule people of Côte d'Ivoire. The instrument is sculpted from a single piece of wood and features a tall cylindrical body hollowed through a series of vertical openings. The top is adorned with a carved figural head, while the bottom ends in an open loop form, both elements clearly visible in the photograph and consistent with Baule sculptural aesthetics. 

The drum’s long rectangular slits allow it to produce resonant tones when struck along the edges. These tonal variations were essential in ritual settings, where slit gongs served not only as musical instruments but also as communicative and spiritual tools. Among the Baule, such slit gongs were frequently used by komien (diviners). During divination sessions, the rhythmic sounds helped the practitioner enter a trance, communicate with ancestors, or engage the spirits of the bush. The presence of figural carving like the stylized head on this example reinforces its ritual significance and the belief that objects can act as intermediaries between the visible and spiritual worlds.

The Baule are celebrated for their mastery of wood carving, particularly their portrait masks and figures, admired globally for their elegance, refinement, and spiritual potency. These creations often embody ideals of grace, beauty, and ancestral presence. While this object is not a mask, it belongs to the same artistic and ceremonial universe. Much like the Baule’s renowned Mblo masks, known for their delicate features and symbolic power this slit gong reflects a complex interplay between artistry, ritual practice, and communication with the spirit realm. Instruments like this were essential components of divination, healing, and ceremonial life, serving as both functional tools and spiritually charged works of art. 

Various cracks throughout.
Does not stand on its own. 

Height: 22.0
Width: 5.0
Depth: 4.0

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