The Baule, pronounced (Bah-oo-lay), represent one of the largest ethnic groups of the Ivory Coast. According to myth after a succession dispute in the mid 18th century, Queen Abla Poku led her followers west to the land of the Senufo and Guro where they came upon the river Comoe. In order to cross she had to sacrifice her own son. Legend has it this sacrifice is the origin of the name Baule which translates to “the child has died. 

The Baule do not hold objects in high esteem for aesthetic reasons rather they focus on the spiritual presence that is related to the object. According to the Baule mythology, the ram is a heavenly spirit of agriculture. These masks are used on the occasion of the new harvest, at the visit of dignitaries, or at the funerals of notables.

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Dimensions: 12 inches long x 7 inches deep x 7 inches across the widest point.

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