Figure of a Snake (Kakilambe)

Origin: Baga Tribe, Guinea
Composition: wood, pigment dye

For the Baga Tribe in Guinea, the snake or serpent, Kakilambe, has come to represent the protective spirit which protects the Baga tribe beyond simply initiation ceremonies. It appears in the village on ritual days and to announce the return of the boys as men. Some versions of the snake are also worn as headdresses and can extend to massive heights, making the dancing of the pieces an impressive feat.

The Baga snake is a representation of the snake spirit Bansonyi (“master of medicine”). Only adolescent males learn the secrets of the snake-spirit, during their initiation ceremony, which marks the passage to adult status.

This piece, carved from a single piece of wood, is an abstract form which has heavily influenced contemporary Western art and is an inspiration for artists throughout the world. The streamlined, simple form evokes images of contemporary sculpture, yet the cultural context of the piece and its importance for a large community of peoples cannot be overstated. Purchased directly from the tribe in Guinea in 1999.