Old Lobi Talisman – Komé / Thungbubiel – Burkina Faso

Ivory. Mid 20th century. Cm. 12,0 high x cm. 4,2 width (4.72″ x 1.65″). Grams 56,4 (1.99 oz.).

This pendant is named “Komé” and was worn by great hunters initiated to the Bâba cult, intended to protect the hunters from the possible force and revenge of the souls – named khélé – of some slaughtered animals. Without these amulets of protection, hunters or members of their family could be struck by lethal diseases, subject to snake bites, suicide, madness…

This pendant is also named “Thungbubiel” literally means “elephant pipe”.

For more informations and similar examples see:

– page 329 of the article of Daniela Bognolo from the collective book, Images d’Afrique et Sciences sociales, Ed. Karthala-Orstom, 1993;

– page 143 of “Africa Adorned” by Angela Fisher.

m16