Wooden Figure

This unusual wooden figure is described in the Sierra Leone National Museum records as a Ju-ju figure , belonging to a Gissi secret society. Gissi , used here, is likely to be an alternative spelling for Kisi, or Kissi. The records continue: the name of the Secret Society is Sere in Koranko and Umboko in Temne. Both Gisi and Koranko Society. If a man peeps at the women when they dance (starting from 12 a.m.) at dead of night, his male organs will swell up from which he will ultimately die . The figure depicts a crouching female figure, with its hands raised to its ears. It has an aluminium alloy bangle on its left arm, and an unusual moustache on its upper lip.

Related Videos

Further Information

• Type: Figures, sculpture
• Object: Wooden Figure
• Materials: Feather, fur, hair, horn, Metal, Wood
• Culture Group: Kisi, Kuranko, Temne
• Dimensions: Unknown
• Production Date: Pre 1970
• Associated Places: Freetown (Place purchased)
• Associated People: Mr. Abbas Mustapha (Trader)
• Museum: Sierra Leone National Museum
• Accession Number: SLNM.1970.15.04

Related Objects