Description

Baule divination gong (lawlé waka) used by diviners in Do rituals.

The carved handle is surmounted by the figure of a horned buffalo grasping the twisted wooden mallet in its mouth.
During divination ceremonies, the diviner (komien) strikes the hand-forged iron gong, whose rhythmic sound helps induce the trance state required for communication with the spirit world.

Within Baule belief, the ritual serves to dispel malevolent forces and establish contact with benevolent nature spirits who guide the diviner.

This complete example retains its original hand-forged iron gong, carved wooden mallet and suspension cord.
Traces of the original natural fibre cushion remain between the gong and its support.

Collected in Côte d’Ivoire.

Signs of age and use.

Dimensions

Length of mallet: 27 cm
Length of iron gong: 19 cm

Photo of diviner (komien): Susan Mullin Vogel.

Reference: Sounding Forms: African Musical Instruments, edited by Marie-Thérèse Brincard (1989), p. 149.