Toma fetish — Toma, Guinea — African tribal art — Ref. 176

Description

Toma ritual fetish, Guinea, an exceptional spiritual object. This fetish incorporates hanging horns, cowries, side mirrors and an anthropomorphic figure at the top. The base has a dense earthy patina, typical of rituals involving sacred substances. The mirrors, symbols of protection, repel harmful spirits, while the cowries evoke wealth and spiritual power. Inside, a sound element is activated by movement, reinforcing its ritual role. The horns, receptacles of magical forces, and the bundles tied around them mark a powerful spiritual charge. This fetish, central to Toma divinatory and protective practices, illustrates their rich ritual tradition.

Technical details

Type of piece

Statuette

Category

Ritual objects

Ethnic group

Toma

Country

Guinée

Materials

stone, wood, fibre végétale, cowries, miroir, fabric

Dimensions

H 29 × W 20 × D 20 cm

Weight

2,1 kg

Estimated dating

second half 20th c.

Laboratory test

Not tested

Reference

176