Male Figure (Waka Sran)
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Object Label
This figure most likely embodies a "spirit spouse"—the husband or wife every person is said to have had before birth. Through dreams, misfortune, and other signs, a person may learn that his or her spirit spouse feels neglected or jealous. One way to appease the spirit is to commission a carved figure of it and carefully nurture it with food offering and perhaps bathe and rub it with oil.
Caption
Baule. Male Figure (Waka Sran), early 20th century. Wood, 11 x 3 9/16 x 4 1/4 in. (27.9 x 9 x 10.8 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Frank L. Babbott Fund, 61.3. (Photo: Brooklyn Museum)
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Culture
Title
Male Figure (Waka Sran)
Date
early 20th century
Geography
Possible place made: Lacs or N’zi Comoé Region, Côte d'Ivoire, Possible place made: Vallée du Bandama Region, Côte d'Ivoire
Medium
Wood
Classification
Dimensions
11 x 3 9/16 x 4 1/4 in. (27.9 x 9 x 10.8 cm)
Credit Line
Frank L. Babbott Fund
Accession Number
61.3
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