Very pretty statuette in wood and kaolin, typical of the Baoulé ethnic group of Côte d'Ivoire

Height: 52 cm

The Baoulé begging monkey

The Baoulé, for whom agriculture holds an important place, have many agrarian divinities among which the begging monkey (probably called this because of the cup that he always carries in his hands) is the best known.

These statuettes with the always identical posture embody the genius Gbékré, a fearsome and feared character who can influence the result of the harvests.

The Gbékré monkey statuettes are kept outside the village and embody the devastating force of the animal. During sowing or before harvests, or simply to ward off evil spirits, the leader of their cult will pour different "magical" materials into his cup as offerings: millet porridge, eggs, blood, meat, etc.

The Baoulé people

Located in the center of Côte d'Ivoire, around the capital Yamoussoukro, they are the largest ethnic group in the country (ahead of the Bété and the Sénoufo) and represent nearly a quarter of the Ivorian population (around three million people)

Originally from neighboring Ghana from where they were driven out, the Baoulé settled in Côte d'Ivoire a little over two centuries ago under the leadership of their queen Pokou. In order to cross a river during their migration, she had to sacrifice one of her sons. This is how the name Baoulé was formed: "ba ou li" in the language of the ethnic group means: "the child is dead".