Baule Blolo or Spirit Spouse Figure

Everyone, say the Baule, is married twice. Once here. Once somewhere else.

The Baule of the Ivory Coast believe an alternate world runs parallel to ours, and that each person has a spouse there. When that spirit partner makes trouble, a figure called a blolo may be carved to honor it and kept close. This one is wood, 20th century, a little over a foot tall. She is painted red-brown, with a black wrap skirt and a white beaded necklace. Eyes white, cheek marks black, hair in a small topknot. One hand on her hip.

She stands on a red base, unbothered. Be gracious to her.