Akye (Atye, Attye,
Ankye), Côte
dIvoire
Ceremonial male figure. The
Akan-speaking Lagoons groups of Côte
dIvoire use such figures in
various ways, for instance, in spirit-lover cults and that of the deceased
twin. Widespread in Lagoon societies is the belief that when people are born into the
world they leave behind a spirit counterpart, or lover, in the otherworld.
This counterpart may become jealous and cause his or her earthly part impotence,
infertility or other misfortune. This figure may have been used in this manner or by a
medium diviner or healer. In either case it would have been consecrated to serve as a
dwelling place for a spirit. The spirit associated with the figure would be aroused by the
diviner to communicate with the supernatural world and the figures visual presence
during séances would have helped to legitimate the diviners special powers of
communication.
Material: wood
Size: H. 20, W. 5, D. 4