Biiga Doll - Mossi - Burkina Faso - SOLD
Highly stylised figure called Biiga or Biga for fertility purposes in Mossi traditional art, Burkina FasoTraditional wooden figure from Mossi people called Biiga or Biga representing a female depicted in abstract form with curving head engraved with geometric lines and a long plait of hair falling to the front. The conical body with pendulous breasts and prominent navel, the body engraved with bands of geometric lines. The Mossi people are the largest ethnic group of Burkina Faso and are renowned for their masquerades and colourful masks and costumes. Female statues are known as biiga are used by female children to give them the power to bear children. They are also used to help the child prepare to look after a baby as they are cared for and clothed in the same way as a human baby. These statues are passed on from mother to daughter and the large breasts are a symbol of motherhood. The head is a stylisation of the gyonfo, a female hairstyle. Origin : private collection, FranceDating : 1950'sSize : 56 x 9 cmMaterial : wood
00404
Data sheet
- Presumed dating
- Mid XXth century
- Size
- Ethnic group
- Material(s)
- Wood
- Country
- Origin
- Tribal art collection France
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Highly stylised figure called Biiga or Biga for fertility purposes in Mossi traditional art, Burkina FasoTraditional wooden figure from Mossi people called Biiga or Biga representing a female depicted in abstract form with curving head engraved with geometric lines and a long plait of hair falling to the front. The conical body with pendulous breasts and prominent navel, the body engraved with bands of geometric lines. The Mossi people are the largest ethnic group of Burkina Faso and are renowned for their masquerades and colourful masks and costumes. Female statues are known as biiga are used by female children to give them the power to bear children. They are also used to help the child prepare to look after a baby as they are cared for and clothed in the same way as a human baby. These statues are passed on from mother to daughter and the large breasts are a symbol of motherhood. The head is a stylisation of the gyonfo, a female hairstyle. Origin : private collection, FranceDating : 1950'sSize : 56 x 9 cmMaterial : wood