Collections: Arts of Africa and the Pacific Islands: Soul Container (Eraminho or Orebok Ocoto)

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Soul Container (Eraminho or Orebok Ocoto)

Eraminho are repositories for the souls of the dead. According to Bidjogo beliefs, a person's soul lives on after the body dies, but only as long as it is remembered by the person's family. Thus it is necessary to create a repository for the soul and make sacrifices to it. The crusty surface of this figure is the result of sacrificial materials, including eggs and palm wine, being sprinkled or poured on it.

• Culture: Bidjogo
• Medium: Wood, earth, crushed plant materials, copper alloy chain, sacrificial materials
• Place Made: Bissagos Islands, Ihla de Orango Grande, Guinea-Bissau
• Dates: late 19th or early 20th century
• Dimensions: 14 1/2 in. (36.8 cm)
• Collections: Arts of Africa and the Pacific Islands
• Museum Location: This item is on view in African Galleries, 1st Floor
• Accession Number: 71.176.4
• Credit Line: Gift of Ruth R. Gross
• Image: Overall, 71.176.4_SL1.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
Bidjogo. Soul Container (Eraminho or Orebok Ocoto), late 19th or early 20th century. Wood, earth, crushed plant materials, copper alloy chain, sacrificial materials, 14 1/2 in. (36.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Ruth R. Gross, 71.176.4 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 71.176.4_SL1.jpg)
• Catalogue Description: Soul Container "Eraminho" or "Orebok Ocoto"of wood, cloth and metal. Human, wooden based head, with tubular body. Figure covered with cloth, which is covered with patination. Two strands of patinated metal chains around neck. CONDITION: Chain around neck corroded as well as the greenstone eyes. Left side of head partially bared to the wood.