Baga

In African Baga art we also know a type of anthropomorphic sculpture which was over time replaced by shoulder masks called nimba. Traditional Demba Nimba masks were worn on the shoulders during all happy events: births, weddings, harvest ceremonies, etc. The Baga live along the coast of Guinea-Bissau.
Baga tradition wanted the oldest members of each clan to lead their village in secret meetings. These elders were responsible for their family altar where sat the African statue of A-tshol, a protective spirit of the Baga often represented by a face in the shape of a bird's beak.