Baga peoples, Guinea
Early to mid-20th century
Wood, pigment, brass tacks
51 x 22.2 x 67.5 cm (20 1/16 x 8 3/4 x 26 9/16 in.)
2005-6-161, gift of Walt Disney World Co., a subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company (cat. no. 62)
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Among the Baga, the most important of the clan regalia objects was the figure known as a-Tshol, a term that is generally translated as "medicine," signifying a whole range of substances with powers of healing or protection. The a-Tshol figure is carved as a highly stylized composite sculpture with both human and bird attributes. This one has a body in the shape of a stool. They functioned as static shrine objects receiving libations and other offerings and would also be taken out and danced during initiations, funerals and annual ceremonies.
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