Biga FERTILITY DOLL - Mossi culture, Burkina Faso - First half of the 20th century

Biga FERTILITY DOLL
Mossi culture, Burkina Faso
First half of the 20th century
Drink
H.: 38; L.: 5 cm

Stylized anthropomorphic doll with a long, tapered neck and a minimalist body sculpted in a linear extension. The shoulders are shown by a break in the material, the face is half-moon shaped, slightly convex on the front.
Geometric scarifications are incised on the face, temples, neck, chest and stomach.

Mothers offered these Biga dolls to young girls as a toy or symbolic accessory in preparation for their future marriage or pregnancy.
The Biga had to be carefully preserved.

Text and photos © FCP CORIDON

Ref.: 1746