Consulter la cote et le prix de Baule Wooden Gbekre Mouse Oracle Box
Description : Many, if not all, African societies rely on some means of divination for solutions to problems in their daily lives. Africans from different tribal cultures believe it is not only possible and reasonable, but indispensable to know the future impact of any decision taken in the present in order to determine its advisability. This knowledge can be acquired through many different techniques which are unique to each tribe.Among other methodologies, the Baule of the Ivory Coast use what they call a mouse oracle or ''Gbekre.'' Oral traditions in the region, including among the Yaure and Guro people who may have initiated the practice, tell that in the distant past mice had the ability to speak. Commonly living on the ground in forested areas surrounding the village, mice are in close contact with the forest spirits known as the ''asye usu.'' These omniscient spirits live closely with ancestor spirits, and can provide great insight for solving daily problems. Divination experts, those with specialization in all spiritual matters, brought mice into the village to live in captivity. These specialists spend years in training, learning how to prepare medications, interpret vocabulary and visual signs from the oracle, and how to compensate the divinities and the oracle for their enlightenment.The visual signs given by the oracle can be generated in several ways, but in all variations the mouse is first placed in the lower chamber of the oracle box. In one variation, corn kernels would be placed in the upper chamber and covered, and a yes or no question would be asked. The mouse eating the corn in the allotted time or not was seen as an affirmative or negative answer respectively.In another variation, small sticks or bones called gbekre nyma, or ''the eyes of the mice,'' would be placed in the upper chamber, with corn or other food placed among them. When the mouse moves through the gbekre nyma, it rearranges them into a different pattern which can be interpreted by the diviner. Some known patterns include ''open path, favorable augury,'' ''the consultant will receive a visit,'' ''sickness,'' ''death of a woman in the village,'' ''successful labor,'' unfavorable sign for a projected marriage,'' and ''death of an individual in another village.''Provenance:These pieces were collected over a period of several decades out of collections from America and throughout Europe, including France, Germany, Belgium, and Amsterdam beginning in the early 1960s. The items in this collection have been identified by George Mack, former director of the Arizona African Art Museum.A fantastic piece that's perfect for your collection!Piece shows moderate wear and deterioration from ceremonial use and age, with some cracking and small chips. Wood shows varied encrustation and a good patina. Overall in good condition for its age.Measures approximately 18.5 x 10 x 15 with a total weight of 5 lbs.
Prix: 590.00 USDC'est GRATUIT! créez un compte pour lire l'info
Estimations(basse-haute) : 3000 USD-4000 USDC'est GRATUIT! créez un compte pour lire l'info