Spirit Spouses of the Otherworld

One of my favourite pieces of art is a "pair" of Baule figures. They are not really a pair even though one is male and the other is female. They are very beautifully carved and the meaning behind them I believe is kinda spooky but exciting.

The Baule are from Cote d' Ivoire and believe that the Otherworld (Blolo) exists parallel to our world and that the two are a reflection of one another. Blolo is the place where we were before we were born and where we return to after death. Therefore, every living person has an Otherworld family.

This I believe. To me it explains some of the feelings I get.

The most important to the Baule of all the Otherworld inhabitants are their spouses, the blolo bian (men) and the blolo bla (women). This is because of the power that these figures can exert in our world. The Baule believe that power and influence can be exerted from either world.

This I believe. Our spouses can take up a lot of our thinking time especially when there are disagreements. Did you ever stop to think, that there could be someone out there stirring things for you?

A Baule figure is usually commissioned when a person in this world is faced with a problem, often related to relationship issues (e.g. sexual problems with their partner or maybe problems with conceiving).

I have just had a thought! Maybe I could commission a diviner to replace Jed with Denzel! Now that is a thought!

A diviner is then consulted to determine whether the cause of the problem is related to one’s spiritual spouse. In response, the diviner may recommend that a figure representing the Otherworld spouse should be carved. The figure’s appearance is based upon images from the Otherworld that the person in this world experiences in dreams. The figure is then placed in the home after a ceremony has been performed.

This is the bit where I start saying this man is having an affair! (I use man but you can use what you like) I have always said if he is thinking about another woman he is being unfaithful. If he is dreaming about another woman he is being unfaithful!

The figure is then cleaned regularly and receives regular offerings. In addition, the person must also make skin contact with the figure as part of the cleaning ceremony to ensure a close bond is formed between the person in this world and the otherworld spouse. Through this relationship the problems are hopefully resolved as the otherworld spouse will be appeased and any future problems prevented.

That is it! What more proof do you need this calls for a divorce (in my case). I am definetly going to replace him with Denzel!

To the Baule people these figures are not pieces of art but an integral part of their belief system.

I know I have given a light- hearted take on this and I sincerely do not mean any disrespect. But, I do love this meaning. Do you see what I mean by spooky but exciting? I truly love and treasure these figures, they are simply gorgeous. Whilst I am thinking about it, I have to thank Jed. He fell in love with them first (aesthetically, that is), I fell in love with the meaning.

I would love to hear what you think about this article? Do you believe there is an Otherworld that exists parallel to this world?


[References: Vogel, Susan Miller 1997 African Art/Western Eyes. New Haven, Yale University press. Davis, Seth, Davidson College - Fall 2001]