Bateba Arm Raised

 

The Lobi occupy part of northern Ivory Coast, north of the fauna reserve of Buna and south of Burkina Faso. They are a village of farmers and hunters.

The Lobi believe in a Supreme God “Thangbo Thu”, creator of the universe that intervenes in the life of men through a multitude of Thils, invisible spirits whose mission is to protect men and the “Kontuor”, geniuses of the forest or of the earth, small red-haired beings that can manifest themselves to men in a visible way. The Lobi They organize their communities around these spirits of nature, because when they are honored they manifest their benevolence in the form of abundant rains, good health for people, animals and fields, and numerous births, if ignored, will send devastating epidemics, droughts and sufferings. These spirits transmit to the diviners the laws that the followers must follow in order to receive their protection. These spirits are represented by the “bateba”, sculptures carved by their owners, especially by the heads of families. To this end, the thils have asked humans to make a statue of the ancestor founder of the lineage to perpetuate their knowledge over time, since through the revered word of the ancestors their silent message is revealed. The important thing about the “bateba” is not their aesthetics but their magical strength, their capacity for action and protection. These bats were intended to protect their owners, they were placed in the tombs, in the dark corners of houses or in the family altars along with many other bats that embody so many other spirits, for there are also many dangers that haunt men. Most bats are mastilins, but there are also female bats. Often male bats are represented with quite prominent breasts which gives them a hermaphrodite look. The female statues are called Thilburu and are statues of family altars. Bataba hairstyles are generally smooth.

Following the instructions of the sorcerers, altars are also built inside the houses or on the roofs. The batting., usually made of wood although they may also be carved in stone, are small statuettes that rarely pass from half a metre, not reaching some to ten centimeters. They are usually carved in white and soft wood, although they are also carved in reddish and dense wood.

The bataba duntundadora they are among the largest and have apotropaic virtues will ensure protection in exchange for offerings and with their aggressive appearance will keep the forces of evil away from families. Others will bat, embody different Thil, who will be recognized for their attitude. The dangerous Thil will appear with raised or open arms while more peaceful ones will adopt a normal attitude, with arms hanging along the body and can even represent a woman or a motherhood, symbol of fertility and wealth that will flood the house. These statuettes serve to communicate with the spirits that invade them, the thils, which are the ancestors of the clan and the matriclan and which govern the daily life of the people. As a couple, the bats favor the fertility of the woman and especially the birth of twins.

The name “bateba” means “remedies that murmur dark words”.

Female figure typical of the Lobi with his arm raised at elbow height. Brown patina.