Kaolin-Covered Fetish Figure with Beads

Origin: Ewe Tribe, Togo
Composition: wood, kaolin pigment, textile strips, wood beads

Pigment-covered fetish figures such as this were historically placed in shrines and treated with great respect by the Ewe. The use of fetishes by Ewe diviners is widespread, and is in fact a vital part of daily village life. Typically, a "remote" object such as this figure will be "activated" by a diviner, and then used as a channel for the spirits, and thus an intermediary for change.

The Ewe occupy southeastern Ghana and the southern parts of neighboring Togo and Benin. Most Ewe are farmers who also raise livestock, and those living near the coast are predominantly fishermen and traders. The Ewe believe in over 600 deities, many of whom even have their own village celebrations and ceremonies held in their honor (Ref: Bacquart, Tribal Arts of Africa).

This piece is especially unusual and mysterious, and is one of the very few authentic Ewe figures SUJARO has collected over the years. It was collected from the tribe in Togo 2007. The specific meaning and function of this piece is a mystery, but the bowl carried atop the head was likely a place where offerings were placed.