Niabua

It is an ethnic group belonging to the Kru group, located in western Ivory Coast. Its territory is at a crossroads of ethnic groups, having as neighbors closer to the We, Wobé, the Gueré, the Kuya and the Bethé and also very close Dan and the Guro. Their art is influenced by all of them, their relatives more or less close. Like the Gueré and the Bakwe practice the cult of Gre or Gle, a just and protective divinity, represented by a monstrous human head with hippopotamus teeth. This cult can be used both to cause good and evil, especially enchantments. They practice divination and magic and ordeals in which suspects of a reprehensible act are subjected to a test consisting of receiving in one eye a few drops of the gopo sap (Elaephorbia drupifera) and if he loses sight he is guilty, if he keeps it innocent. They use masks in their cults, which look horrible for better communication with the hidden forces that disturb man's life but can be favorable if they receive sacrifices. Like most people in these areas, they are engaged in agriculture, hunting and collecting the fruits offered by a fertile nature.