Mossi Doll Biiga Burkina Faso African Art

370846032630

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Title	Mossi Doll Biiga Burkina Faso African Art
Type of Object	Doll - Female figure
Country of Origin	Burkina Faso
People	Mossi or Moshi
Materials	Wood and pigment
Approximate Age	Mid 20th century
Dimensions	12 inches H. x 2 inches W.
Overall Condition	good: Most ofÂ our pieces have spent decades on at least two continents, and have been treasured by several owners. Â Small splits, scrapes and cracks are a normal part of their patina attesting to their age and extensive use.Â We examine each piece carefully when we receive it and report any damage we find in our listings.Â Please look carefully at the pictures which may also reveal condition and damage.
Damage/Repair	chips and scratches

Mossi Carved Doll, Biiga,Burkina Faso, African Figure

Additional Information: A fine Mossi doll with a tinny torso of a female figure without arms and legs, called biiga doll.

The Mossi are today the largest single group living in Burkina Faso. They originated from horsemen who made their way north from present day Ghana during the 1500âs. Mossi are renowned for their masquerades and the use of large superbly sculpted and brightly painted masks and colorful costumes. Among the Mossi elders are highly honored with elaborate funerals and the appearance of masked dancers with masks representing ancestors and various spirits and forces of Nature in dramatic and often vigorous dances. Sculpted figures known as Ninande (pl.) have a number of functions and It is difficult to establish the use of a figure without specific knowledge of itâs use. The high crested hairstyle is a version of gyonfo coiffure worn by the female among the Mossi.

In general, figures are identified with local chiefs and clan elders during ceremonies reinforcing local political relationships and chiefly authority. Figures are also used at funerals and in some areas are buried with the elder. During yearly public ceremonies figures honoring ancestors will have cloths wrapped around their waists similar to cloths worn by Mossi women. Among their many works is the âbiigaâ or doll; though the word doll is not a good translation of the because the function of the sculpture goes way beyond that of a âplaything.â For a young female child the biiga represents the power that will enable her to have a child and simultaneously the baby she is learning to take care for.

The biiga doll is washed and dressed and carried on the back just like a real child would be. If it is damaged, the biiga is taken to the local diviner for attention. The biiga is passed on from mother to daughter or from sister to sister. All Mossi dolls have a cylindrical base that is slightly wider than the body. It is carved without legs or arms but has accentuated breasts which are a symbol of motherhood. The head is a stylization of the gyonfo, a female hairdo; The biiga also features scarification patterns that are realistic and found on the Mossi people themselves.

For a similar example see Roy, Christopher & Thomas G. B. Wheelock, Burkina Faso Land of the Flying Masks. The Thomas G. B. Wheelock Collection, 2007,figs. 478-489

Recommended Reading:

Roy, Christopher & Thomas G. B. Wheelock, Burkina Faso Land of the Flying Masks. The Thomas G. B. Wheelock Collection, 2007

Roy, Christopher., The Art of the Upper Volta Rivers, 1987.

Elisabeth, Cameron, ISN'T S/HE A DOLL-PLAY AND RITUAL IN AFRICAN SCULPTURE, 1996

I have examined this piece and agree with the description.
Niangi Batulukisi, PhD.

**63305**

All content, including pictures, Copyright Africa Direct Inc., 2006

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Shipping and handling	To	Service	Delivery*
US $12.98	United States	Expedited Shipping (USPS Priority Mail^®)	Estimated between Sat. Jul. 6 and Mon. Jul. 8

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After receiving the item, contact seller within	Refund will be given as	Return shipping
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Return policy details
We want you to be happy with your purchase. You're welcome to return an item within seven days in the same condition you received it--just let us know you're returning it. You may have either a credit or a refund for your purchase price, not including shipping both ways. If your original payment was made through PayPal, we'll refund you through PayPal; if you paid us directly with your credit card, we'll refund the credit card.

Return policy details

We want you to be happy with your purchase. You're welcome to return an item within seven days in the same condition you received it--just let us know you're returning it. You may have either a credit or a refund for your purchase price, not including shipping both ways. If your original payment was made through PayPal, we'll refund you through PayPal; if you paid us directly with your credit card, we'll refund the credit card.

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