Tribal Art

Mixed with the Nalu and Landuman, the Baga live along the coasts of Guinea-Bissau in areas of swamps flooded six months a year. These Baga groups based on the coast and living from rice farming are made up of seven subgroups, including the Baga Kalum, Bulongic, Baga sitem, Baga Mandori, etc. They believe in a creative god called Nagu, Naku, which they do not represent, and which is accompanied by a male spirit whose name is Somtup. In the baga religion, except Nagu or Kanu who is the creator, an important second spiritual entity is called Somtup , the male spirit at the head of the initiation society of men. The women's association is under the direction of a-Bol, Somtup's wife. In parallel with the extinction of male initiations since the 1950s, women's societies have organized danced ritual ceremonies in which possession and divination sessions are frequently held. Divinity of the waters, the female figure figure figure figured kneeling on a fish embodies the concept of local beauty, sculpted with many details such as sophisticated braided hairstyle, necklaces and bracelets. Very well preserved polychromy. Desication crack.