250136 - Wooden African Baga Snake Bansonyi sculpture - Guinea.
BAGA SNAKE BANSONYI SCULPTURE FROM GUINEA.
This mask is 86 cm high including the base.
A grand Baga snake standing at 86 cm in height on a custom houten base for immediate display. Adorned with geometric motifs and colorful pigments, this wonderfully carved artifact is a true collector's item.
This is a Baga protective serpent, known in the literature under various names: Bansonyi, A-mantsho-na-tshol, or Inap. The serpent here represented is said to be similar to the ferocious python whose spirit called Ninkinanka is involved in curing infertility and droughts, bringing prosperity, wealth, and rain. During the initiation of young boys, the serpent is involved in protecting boys at circumcision. In some sub-groups of Baga people, it appears during the initiation of young girls as well as funerals.