An female Attie sculpture, Southern Ivory Coast, seated on a Akan/Achanti stool, wearing a threeparted coiffure with numerous piercings for ritual medicine, blackened, partly shiny patina.

Piercings for Ritual Medicine:
1. Spiritual Power: The piercings may represent points of contact between the human and spirit worlds. In ritual practices, these openings can be seen as places where spiritual energy can flow in or out, enhancing the effectiveness of the ritual or the power of the figure.
2. Sacred Objects: The piercings in the sculptures may hold charms, herbs, or medicinal substances—materials that are believed to possess spiritual power and can enhance the efficacy of healing rituals. For example, in some cases, small objects or ritual ingredients might be inserted into the pierced parts of the sculpture to activate its power for specific purposes (such as curing illness, ensuring fertility, or providing protection against evil forces).
3. Offerings: Pierced sculptures could also serve as receptacles for offerings, like sacred beads, metal objects, or other ritual items. These items, placed within the pierced parts, are thought to empower the object, creating a stronger connection to the spirit world or the supernatural forces being invoked.
4. Symbolic Meaning: The piercings themselves could have symbolic meanings tied to ancestral lineage, cosmology, or the human condition. For instance, the locations and number of piercings might correspond to specific spiritual practices or beliefs about the human body, fertility, life cycles, or the relationship between the visible and invisible realms.
Attié Sculpture:
The Attié are known for their detailed wood carvings and statues, often with strong symbolic associations. These sculptures can be abstract or realistic, and may represent gods, ancestors, or spirits. The figures are usually stylized and may have exaggerated features, such as large eyes or elongated limbs, which emphasize the connection to spiritual or supernatural forces.
The ritualistic use of piercings on sculptures is part of the broader West African tradition of using art to channel spiritual energies, facilitate communication with ancestors, and provide protection or healing. In this context, the piercings and modifications to the figures serve as important mechanisms for the sculpture to become a conduit for powerful spiritual work.
Thus, Attié sculptures with piercings are not merely decorative but are infused with deep spiritual significance, playing an active role in the ritual medicine and spiritual healing practices of the community.

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Height: 57 cm
Weight: 1,9 kg