The Baule Monkey

 

The Baule Monkey

In Baule culture, "Mbra" monkey figures are powerful, secret sculptures used by diviners and men's associations for protection, often kept hidden in the bush and considered dangerous to women. These monkey-like sculptures, sometimes referred to as "Gbekre," are considered powerful figures used in rituals and divination.

Purpose and Significance:

They are used for divination and spiritual protection of families and larger social units. They are owned by trance diviners and certain families and kept hidden outside under a shelter. They are believed to be dangerous to women and are kept secret. They are associated with the bush and receive sacrificial offerings directly on the sculpture.

Appearance:

These sculptures are usually no more than two feet tall, with a square muzzle, pointed teeth, and cupped hands held in front of the body. Some even grasp a cup, and they are always male and typically wear a loincloth made of actual fabric. They share stylistic features with the men's sacred masks, including the prominent teeth and boxy muzzle.

Secrecy and Danger:

Their creation and use are shrouded in secrecy, and they are considered too powerful to be displayed publicly. They are kept in the bush and are considered dangerous for women.

Cultural Context:

The Baule adopted sculptural and masking traditions from their neighbors, the Guro, Senufo, and Yaure peoples. The encrusted surfaces of the figures are caused by sacrificial offerings.

The Baule People

The Baule people, an Akan ethnic group, are one of the largest ethnicities in Côte d'Ivoire, traditionally farmers who live in the center of the country, known for their matrilineal social structure, and their art, including fine wooden sculptures.

Origins and Location:

The Baule people are descendants of the Akan, who migrated to their current location in Côte d'Ivoire around the 18th century. They are primarily located in the center of the country, in a region between the rivers Bandama and N'Zi, encompassing areas around Bouaké and Yamoussoukro.

Matrilineal Society:

Baule culture is traditionally matrilineal, meaning that familial and social status is determined through the female line.

Economy and Agriculture:

The Baule are traditionally farmers, cultivating yams, cocoa, and coffee, which are important cash crops.

Art and Culture:

They are known for their fine wooden sculptures, including ritual statuettes representing ghosts or spirits, and their art is inspired by religion, history, and folklore.

Political Influence:

The Baule played a significant role in the history of Côte d'Ivoire, with the country's first president, Félix Houphouët-Boigny, being a Baule man.

Language:

While French is the official language of Côte d'Ivoire, many Baule people also speak their own language, which is a tonal language belonging to the Niger-Congo language family. Baoulé (native name: wawle), also known as Baule or Bawule, is a language spoken in central and southern Ivory Coast, including in the regions of Lacs, Lagunes, Gôh-Djiboua, Sassandra-Marahoué, Vallée du Bandama, Woroba, and Yamoussoukro, by approximately 5.3 million people

Other Notable Facts

The Baule assimilated many of the indigenous peoples in the area.

Baule masks are used for representative purposes, symbolizing deities, ancestors, and animal spirits.

The Baule people's political structure is based on a council of elders representing the lineages.

The Baule people are also known for their strong sense of community and family values.

 

Videos

Days of the week in Baule language:

Baule History:

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