Altar Figure A-Tshol

This altar figure is named after A-Tshol, Elek and also Anok. It is used by Baga and for the Nalu in Guinea Bissao and in Guinea Conakry.elek or a-Thol is a protective figure of altar and one of the fundamental elements of the religious culture of the Baga. It is also used by other neighboring towns with different names. The a-Thol is a figure in the form of an elongated human head that extends into a large bird beak used in the cult of ancestors and divinatory rites. It represents the first ancestor. This hollow head is sometimes inserted into a normally solid, circular base, which serves as a socket or body of the statue and in other cases both parts are carved into the same piece of wood. Like many masks, it was also used in funeral ceremonies, in agricultural festivities and its divinatory capacity allowed it to discover the sorcerers and the evildoers. And through his mediation Kanu, the Creator God, protects against witchcraft, disease, and evil omens. And, like masks, it is also an element of cohesion of the group. It is a piece used by the secret society of simo and is manipulated by the priest in charge of the maintenance of the altar and offering sacrifices. It appears in public at various events during the dry season.

The head, which is the essential figure, dates from mid or before the middle of the century XX. The original base or socket was lost throughout the times and a similar one has been manufactured to one of the most usual models, to give enhancement to the main piece.