Tribal Art

Ex-collection Belgian tribal art.
Called boli (pl. boliw), buffle, in African art, this fetish of varying size plays a central role in the ritual life of the Mandingo region. There are pocket "Boliw", and others that belong to chiefdoms, initiation societies such as the male initiation associations Kono and Komo whose members progress through a process spanning several decades, and even to Etats.La main function of a boli is to accumulate and control the natural life force called nyama for the spiritual benefit of the community. Used as altars or performed during dance performances, they are creations designed from revelations miraculously tuned to the geniuses of the bush and transmitted to the soothsayers, using active amalgams from nature and, or organic: daliluw . Animal bones, plant materials, honey and metal are clustered around an inner bamboo frame wrapped in a white cotton cloth. They are covered with layers of mud and clay, and on their surfaces accumulate over time sacrificial materials. Each libation layer strengthens the spiritual power of the Boli and the " nourishes" in a way, reviving its offensive and defensive power. This imposing zoomorphic sculpture with a circular orifice in place of the tail has a dark, blackish patina, on which light drips form a marbled appearance.