African Arts Gallery

Ex-Belgian African art collection.
Ankle ring acting as an amulet, the decorative patterns of which, referring to Lobi beliefs, were supposed to protect the wearer. Many rings were produced in southwestern Burkina Faso, having more currency value.
Height on base: 17 cm.
Ring only: 300 gr.
The populations of the same cultural region, grouped together under the name "lobi", form a fifth of the inhabitants of Burkina Faso. Few in Ghana, they have also settled in northern Côte d'Ivoire. It was at the end of the 18th century that the Lobi, coming from northern Ghana, settled among the indigenous Thuna and Puguli, the Dagara, the Dian, the Gan and the Birifor. The Lobi believe in a creator God named Thangba Thu, to whom they address themselves through the worship of many intermediate spirits, the Thil, the latter being supposed to protect them, with the help of the diviner, against a myriad of plagues. Geniuses of the bush, red beings called Kontuor, are also supposed to come to their aid. To communicate with men, the different Thils ask for bateba sculptures in order to be embodied there. Various sacred altars are erected around the Lobi houses. The sanctuary of the family house is called the Thildu, where tribal sculptures of wood, iron or brass, statues of ancestors and batebas are grouped together.