The Lobi

The Lobi occupy the southwestern part of Burkina Faso; the tribes emigrated from Ghana in the last quarter of the 18th century.

>> The Lobi do not carve masks, rather, they are known for their very individualistic figurative statuary known as “bateba”; these figures are placed at sacred altars and are believed to possess a status between supernatural beings and humans.

>> Some wood figures are carved in pairs, these represent twins; their cult holds plays an important place in Lobi practice and ritual.

>> Known for their great metalworking skills, the Lobi produce a great variety of jewelry; due to their extreme superstition, their jewelry takes the form of protective amulets: serpents, chameleons and bush spirit figures are often represented.

>> In addition to wood figures, they carve a variety of three-legged stools and slingshots, adorned with animal or human attributes.

+ Old Lobi Twins
Bateba Figures Slingshot Lance-Pierre