Spoon Topped with Bovine (Iri Ganä)

The Guro carve small eating spoons, or iri gane, for use as prestige objects. They indicate the owner's wealth and sophistication, since only a rich man can afford to commission such spoons. The animal most frequently carved at the end of the handle is the forest buffalo, a fearful and powerful being in Guro mythology. The owner seeks to identify himself with the animal, thereby enhancing his status in society.