Western Africa, Burkina Faso, Lobi peoples, ca. early to mid 20th century CE. Three fine standing male Bateba figures, hand-carved from hard wood, created to guard against sorcery, evil, and illness - each visage comprised of squinting eyes, prominent noses, slender cheeks, thin lips, and domed heads. The figures stand upon tubular legs with delineated male genitalia in front, with both arms held tightly against each respective torso. Given the sculptures' protective roles, they were most likely placed on or around an altar as part of a larger group of 'bateba' figures (literal translation of bateba is "wooden carved figure"). The precise meaning of the pose exhibited by each figure is difficult to ascertain, since these carvings were created as the result of a seer's vision for an afflicted individual who was suffering a particular malady. Custom museum-quality display stands included. Size (largest): 15.125" H (292.4 cm); 15.875" H (40.3 cm) on included custom stand.

Although stretching across a large swath of land inside Burkina Faso, the Ivory Coast, and Ghana, the Lobi are not ruled by an over-arching governance but rather a spiritual cult which sets moral guidelines. This cult abides by the rules of their spirit called a “thil” (or plural “thila”) set in place through divining what rules should be implemented, how to go about implementing them, and the style of punishment for those who deviate.

Bateba figures like these examples would typically be placed inside of the “thilda,” a small shrine room within a family home to bestow a blessing upon or spiritually protect a member of the household. Bateba can be classified into a normal category (called “Bateba Phuwe”), which can include normal male or female figures, or into an extraordinary or more-unusual category (called “Bateba Ti Bala”), which include maternity figures, Janus figures (Bateba Dorka), mating figures (Bateba Betise), or others. The spirits which embody these bateba embody either benevolent or malevolent identities, and each village within the Lobi lands has their own “dithil” (or special spirit) that regulates the societal rules for the entire village.

Provenance: private Los Angeles, California, USA Collection

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#132165

All figures have expected age-commensurate surface wear, small pressure cracks in torsos, heads, and legs, with some losses to feet and areas of body, otherwise very good. Nice earthen deposits as well as light-brown patina throughout.