Mouse Pot Baoulé oracle Ivory Coast

Dimensions and Weight:

Weight: 3.534 kg

Height: 37.5 cm

Width: 20 cm

Oracle pots, also known as "mouse boxes," are ritual objects used by the Baoulé, an ethnic group from Ivory Coast. These objects play an important role in Baoulé divination and religious practices. Here are detailed insights into these oracle pots:

Cultural Context

Baoulé: The Baoulé are an ethnic group from Ivory Coast renowned for their rich artistic and spiritual heritage. They are known for their woodcarvings, masks, and statues.

Divination: Divination is a common practice among the Baoulé, used for making important decisions, diagnosing illnesses, or resolving personal and community issues.

Characteristics of Baoulé Oracle Pots

Materials: Oracle pots are generally made of wood. They come in various shapes, but they are often small-sized with a tight-fitting lid.

Design and Decoration: These pots are often adorned with carvings depicting human figures, animals, or geometric patterns. The decorations are meaningful and may represent spirits or ancestors.

Function: By introducing one or more fasting mice into the lower chamber, and during a consultation, he arranged in the upper part, sticks, porcupine quills, turtle scales, and a little food, in a carefully-studied order. Once the pot was closed, the diviner recited his incantations. The mouse, hungry, climbed immediately into the upper part to eat. She inadvertently changed the arrangement of objects that the diviner then deciphered and interpreted to provide answers to the questions asked.

Use and Importance

Divinatory Rituals: During a divination session, the diviner asks a question and observes how the mice move and interact inside the pot. Each movement has a specific meaning.

Consultation: Members of the community consult the diviner for various issues, including health concerns, conflicts, economic decisions, and spiritual matters.

Role of the Diviner: The diviner, known as "komian" among the Baoulé, is a central figure in religious and social life. He or she is respected for their esoteric knowledge and ability to communicate with spirits.

Symbolism and Meaning

Spirituality: Oracle pots are seen as intermediaries between the spirit world and humans. Mice are viewed as messengers of spirits or ancestors.

Protection and Guidance: In addition to their role in divination, these pots can also be used for spiritual protection and guidance. They are sometimes placed in specific locations to ward off evil spirits or attract beneficial influences.

Conservation and Collection

Museums and Collections: Oracle pots are highly valued by collectors of African art and are often found in museums dedicated to African art and cultures. They are appreciated for their aesthetic value and cultural significance.

Preservation: Like other wooden objects, preserving these pots requires specific conditions to prevent damage from moisture, insects, and temperature variations.

Examples and Representations

Exhibitions: Many museums of African art worldwide exhibit Baoulé oracle pots, often accompanied by information about their use and significance.

Publications: Books and catalogs on African art contain descriptions and analyses of oracle pots, illustrating their role in Baoulé culture and their importance in divinatory practices.

Baoulé oracle pots, or mouse boxes, are fascinating objects that blend art, religion, and divinatory science. They represent an essential part of Baoulé spiritual culture and offer a unique glimpse into their beliefs and practices.


850.00 €

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