Anthropomorphic monkey figure "amwin" or "amwin ba"

wood, fabric loincloth, encrusted sacrificial patina and remains of fibre/animal hair/feathers, collection number "HC 272", rep.

Usually this type of figures holds a container for offerings in its hands or sometimes a bowl is formed by its cupped hands. Present figure holds a disc-shaped object instead. Yet, offerings were not limited to the bowl, the whole body is often covered with remnants of sacrifices.

Eggs in general had a specific meaning for sacrifices, for the Baule ascribed to the egg the symbolic meaning of life in its earliest form, that is, of transformation and growth. Spitting a few mouthfuls of palm wine on the figure's head or chest on the first day of the new moon should bring greater strength to an "amwin". A mash of yams, eggs and palm oil ("mvoufou") was offered to the statues in gratitude for a successful harvest.
The sacrifices were manifold and form a thick and crusty patina over time that is an essential and distinguishing feature of the bowl bearers.