Akye (Atye, Attye,
Ankye), Côte
dIvoire
Alangua - ceremonial
female figure. The eastern coast
of the Côte d'Ivoire comprises the area
of lagoons, where the population is divided into twelve different language groups with
Akye being one of them. Usually chiefs do not govern these people, although a man's social
position is determined by his age. 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 other world. This
counterpart may become jealous and cause his or her earthly part impotence, infertility or
other misfortune. As part of the cult individuals lavish attention on beautiful images of
their spirit counterparts. The statues of this type were used in many different ways. The
figure could have been owned by a diviner, for use in conveying messages to the spirit
world, or it may have been prescribed by the diviner to the client. Alternatively, it
could have been intended to represent (and house) a mans spirit lover
from the other world or it may have been displayed at certain traditional dances. In
either case it would have been consecrated to serve as a dwelling place for a spirit.
Material: wood
Size:
30½x7x5½