Carved wooden Serpent image with raised geometric designs accented with red, blue and white kaolin clay pigment. From The Baga peoples, Guinea, West Africa.The serpent as imagery source for a-Mantsho-na-Tshol relates to an archetypal myth found along the Guinea coast at the center of which is the serpent spirit Ninkinanka which is widely honored as the spirit who gives rain, bestows riches, and brings children to the infertile. He exacts a hefty price from those who profit from his aid. Ninkinanka appears in the form of a serpent resembling the boa constrictor, which is found abundantly in the swamps. The Serpent Headdresses are also clan insignia, each representing one section of a village as incarnations of the spirit a-Mantsho-na-Tshol, they appeared "at the end of the first level of the initiation for boys and girls among certain Baga subgroups, and just before the actual circumcision at the beginning of the boys' initiation among others uses. Measures 40 inches tall

In fair condition with some nicks and chips.