比加 - 莫西 - 有吉納法索 (沒有保留價)

A Mossi, Biga fertility puppet, natural brownish patina, signs of ritual use.

The Mossi and Biga fertility puppets are traditional sculptures or figurines from the cultures of the Mossi people, who primarily live in Burkina Faso, and the Biga people (a subgroup within the Mossi-speaking groups). These fertility figures, often referred to as fertility puppets, play an important role in the societies’ rituals and spiritual practices, particularly concerning fertility, childbirth, and protection.

Fertility and Childbirth: The primary function of these fertility puppets is related to promoting fertility, particularly for women. Women who were trying to conceive or who had difficulty in childbirth would use these figures in rituals, often with the belief that they could help enhance fertility and ensure a safe pregnancy and delivery. These figures were seen as a physical representation of spiritual power that could influence fertility.

Spiritual Protection: The puppets were also thought to offer spiritual protection during pregnancy and childbirth. They were often associated with protective deities or spirits who were believed to ensure the health of both mother and child. The rituals surrounding these puppets were intended to invoke the blessings and protection of these spirits.

Ritual Usage: The fertility puppets were used in various rituals and ceremonies. For example, they might be presented during initiation rites or other cultural events focused on transitioning to adulthood, especially for women. These events were designed to prepare women for the challenges of motherhood and to enhance their fertility.

Symbol of Female Power and Wisdom: The figures also represented the female principle—particularly qualities like nurturing, protection, and wisdom. The aesthetic of the fertility puppets often emphasized exaggerated, stylized features that were symbolic of beauty, health, and fertility, such as full breasts, wide hips, and a rounded body, all of which were seen as markers of a woman's fertility and health.

Intermediary Between Humans and the Spiritual World: Similar to other fertility-related artifacts in African traditions, the puppets might serve as intermediaries between the human world and the spiritual or ancestral realms. They were sometimes thought to carry messages or prayers from the people to the spirits, asking for blessings of fertility and safe childbirth.

The Mossi and Biga people, like many African societies, have a deep connection to the spiritual world, and fertility rituals are essential aspects of their social fabric. These fertility puppets were not just seen as decorative objects but as powerful ritual tools that held the potential to influence one of the most fundamental aspects of life: birth and reproduction. They were often created by skilled artisans, sometimes in consultation with spiritual leaders, to ensure that they carried the appropriate symbols and energies for their intended purpose.

The fertility puppets of the Mossi and Biga peoples serve as both cultural symbols and ritual objects that are central to the spiritual and social lives of the people. They are used to invoke fertility, ensure safe childbirth, and provide spiritual protection to women during pregnancy and childbirth, reflecting the deep connection between physical and spiritual real.