Boli Figure, for the Kono Society
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Object Label
A boli is an abstract figure kept in a shrine belonging to a secret Bamana men's association. It is believed to be the embodiment of the spiritual powers of the society. These powers underlie the ability of the association to maintain social control. Today, the Kono society has lost its influence in most Bamana communities due to the conversion of Bamana to Islam.
The basic form of this boli resembles a highly simplified cow. It is composed of a wooden core over-modeled with materials such as mud, eggs, chewed kola nuts, sacrificial blood, urine, honey, beer, vegetable fiber, and cow dung. The use of blood, excrement, and urine reflects the belief that these organic substances possess extremely potent spiritual powers.
Caption
Bamana. Boli Figure, for the Kono Society, late 19th–early 20th century. Clay and organic materials, 15 x 7 x 21 1/2 in. (38.1 x 17.8 x 54.6 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Georges Rodrigues, 75.77. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 75.77_SL1.jpg)
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Gallery
Not on view
Collection
Culture
Title
Boli Figure, for the Kono Society
Date
late 19th–early 20th century
Geography
Place made: Ségou, Koulikouro, or Sikasso Region, Mali
Medium
Clay and organic materials
Classification
Dimensions
15 x 7 x 21 1/2 in. (38.1 x 17.8 x 54.6 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Georges Rodrigues
Accession Number
75.77
Rights
Creative Commons-BY
You may download and use Brooklyn Museum images of this three-dimensional work in accordance with a Creative Commons license. Fair use, as understood under the United States Copyright Act, may also apply. Please include caption information from this page and credit the Brooklyn Museum. If you need a high resolution file, please fill out our online application form (charges apply). For further information about copyright, we recommend resources at the United States Library of Congress, Cornell University, Copyright and Cultural Institutions: Guidelines for U.S. Libraries, Archives, and Museums, and Copyright Watch. For more information about the Museum's rights project, including how rights types are assigned, please see our blog posts on copyright. If you have any information regarding this work and rights to it, please contact copyright@brooklynmuseum.org.
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