Seated man — Baoulé, Côte d'Ivoire — African tribal art — Ref. XX1

Description

Male statue seated on a stool — Côte d’Ivoire, Baoulé ethnic group. This wooden sculpture represents a seated man, probably an ancestor or intermediary spirit intended to protect his community. The face, with half-closed eyes and a finely carved beard, expresses wisdom and meditation, while the complex and stylised hairstyle symbolises dignity and social importance among the Baoulé.
The body of the statue is decorated with raised motifs evoking scarifications, which represent cultural identity and act as symbols of spiritual protection. The natural wear and visible cracks in the wood attest to the age of the piece and its ritual use, reinforcing its authenticity.
The Baoulé, descended from the Akan people, migrated from present-day Ghana to Côte d’Ivoire in the 18th century under the leadership of Queen Abla Pokou. This people strongly values community ties, solidarity and an economy based on agriculture, especially cocoa and yam cultivation. Their matrilineal society is structured around family lineages, each lineage honouring the ancestors and protective spirits through statues such as this one.
In Baoulé spirituality, each statue embodies a “blolo bian”, or spirit from the beyond, essential for maintaining balance and social cohesion. Beyond their spiritual function, these sculptures reinforce values such as wisdom, respect and protection within the group.

Technical details

Type of piece

Statue

Category

Statues

Ethnic group

Baoulé

Country

Côte d’Ivoire

Materials

wood

Dimensions

H 65 × W 17 × D 17 cm

Weight

2,8 kg

Estimated dating

second half 20th c.

Laboratory test

Not tested

Reference

XX1