The Village/ Wilderness Dichotomy Reflected in Art 

"A Baule dancer appears self- contained, closed in outline, almost introverted, with controlled, balanced movements- in short very like a Baule sculpture; the traditional village layout was closed and inward-looking...An understanding of the Baule world is the foundation for an exploration of Baule art"

Monkey Figure

Wood., cord and prehistoric stone celts. Height: 40.7 cm.

Private Collection

The Monkey figure was either left outside or kept in the village but was fed with sacrifices in the bush. "The monkey sculpture looks wild and aggressive- its twisted posture and restless forms seem unbalanced, almost in motion; its skin filthy  and encrusted" (XII). This uncivilized form coincides with the disorder and chaos of the bush.

Standing Female figure

Wood, beads. Height: 43.8 cm

The Walt Disney Collection

The spirit wife shows the securities and pleasures of the village

"The clean healthy skin of someone who has the luxury of bathing and eating their full; the tressed hair that companion spent hours braiding out of pure affection the upright bearing of an honorable ethical person" (XII).  The "closed contours" are qualities of the seen in Baule village planning. 

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