Bobo Standing Wood Female Figure Burkina Faso

Overall Condition: Good. Most of our pieces have spent decades on at least two continents, and have been treasured by several owners.

Damage/Repair: Well worn patina, splits through body face and legs

The Bobo people, numbering 130,000 and residing in eastern Burkina Faso and Mali, are revered for their artistry in intricate wooden sculptures and masks. Renowned as skilled carvers, their creations feature striking forms, elegant lines, and meticulous detailing. Bobo masks, integral to masquerade dances representing various spirits and deities, hold cultural significance. Among these, the revered Dwo mask is believed to safeguard villages from evil spirits, meticulously carved and adorned with intricate symbols. Another notable carving is the Boli figure, utilized in ancestral rituals, intricately designed and embellished with cowrie shells and decorative elements. Agriculture, regulated by a council of elders, sustains their livelihood, with sorghum, millet, yams, and maize as primary crops. The Bobo's spirituality centers around the creator god, Wuro, and his son Dwo, honored by blacksmiths who act as priests. Masks serve as conduits between humanity and the divine, their significance revealed during initiation rites. In a region reliant on rainfall for harvests, purification ceremonies utilizing various masks aim to restore balance with nature. Symbolizing fertility and growth, masks feature prominently in crop ceremonies, initiations, and funerals, embodying divinity and requiring the wearer to relinquish their individuality for the mask to come alive. The Bobo's exceptional woodcarving and bronze artistry stand as a testament to Burkina Faso's rich cultural heritage, preserving traditions through stunning artifacts used in traditional rituals and ceremonies.