Baule Standing Figural Wood Pounder Cote d'Ivoire

The Baule people, a prominent ethnic group in Côte d'Ivoire, hold a significant place in the country's history. Renowned for their resistance against French colonization, they upheld their traditional beliefs and objects longer than many groups in similar contact with European influences. Belonging to the Akan peoples alongside Ghana, the Baule trace their origins to a queen's sacrifice, leading them to settle between the Comoe and Bandama rivers. With a population of around one million, their territory spans forest and savanna lands. Baule society thrived on individualism, tolerance, and a strong aversion to rigid political structures, lacking traditional rites like initiation or hierarchical associations. Their villages operated autonomously, guided by councils of elders, ensuring egalitarian participation where even slaves had a voice. Villages were organized into quarters with family compounds clustered around courtyards, reflecting their distinct societal structure and village arrangement.

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