Nkisi Nkonde
we entered this life.
assuming his or her gender-specific ro
who has not married or achieved hi
example, or a woman who has not bo
ing an 02
to seal the agreement. Should either party break the oath, it was
believed that the kisi Nkonde would avenge
by meting out and propriate punishment to the offender.
the wronged party
his or her spirit spouse.
an
For such a person, the diviner
image of the SPIRIT SPOUSE (FI
world wife) for a man, or a blolo bia
woman. The figures display the most
of beauty so that the spirit spouses
and inhabit them. Spirit spouse fig
with swelling, fully rounded muscu
details of hairstyle, jewelry, and scari
carved standing in a quiet, dignified
owner keeps the figure in his or he
textiles and jewelry, washing it, ar
and caressing it. Over time, the su
takes on a glossy sheen indicating
The Baule hope that by caring fo
spouse a balance may be restored
human life to unfold smoothly.
YORUBA DIVINATION While
in African art, major deities are
removed from the everyday live
depicted. Such is the case with C
Yoruba people of Nigeria.
The Yoruba have a sizable
F
tant, gods (orisha). Two orisha
mila who represents certainty
and his counterpart Eshu who
and chance. Commonly repres
and mischievous trickster who
년
te with these
a specialist,
supernatural
tion through
performance,
iviner's deal-
ind personal-
ation Among
si, a Kikongo
pirit forces or
peoples of the
ne nineteenth
Iness, protect
rupt things that appear to be g
order and disorder are mediate
(babalawo) who employs a divi
phernalia to reveal the causes
The divination board is sprink
orisha Orunmila and Eshu are
the board with a special tappe
and after each toss records th
the white wood dust on the
of the palm nuts relates to p
tradition also known as Ifa.
ag, trade, and
object served
ongdoers and
k," page 894).
gure, often in
iviner or chief
29-10 · SPIRIT SPOUSE (BLOLO BLA)
Ivory Coast. Baule culture, early-mid 20th century. Wood, glass beads,
148.9 cm). National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Institution,
gold hollow beads, plant fiber, white pigment, encrustation, height 1914"
Washington, DC. Museum purchase (85-15-2)
the diviner, the client relates
problems or concerns.
ART OF AFRICA IN THE MOD
Purchase answer to see full
attachment