The Baule Tribe
One of the largest tribe in Côte d'Ivoire, which is between Liberia and Ghana, the Baule (also spelled Bauole or Bawule) people are one of the most unique tribes of all of Africa. The name Baule, or “baouli”, means “the child has died.” “According to a legend, during the eighteenth century, the queen, Abla Poku, had to lead her people west to the shores of the Comoe, the land of Senufo. In order to cross the river, she sacrificed her own son.” They are an Akan group, so they speak a Tano language. This tribe has fought many wars, the longest was against the French; many other ethnic groups have not been able to keep their religion alive as long as the Baule people. Unfortunately, the unity of the Baule people were destroyed around 1790, when important families started to fight. The Baule tribe treasure their masks very heavily. These masks, also known as the Goli mask, are worn by only men. The circular face represents the power of the sun, and the horns represent the great power of the buffalo. The mask symbolizes the importance of joy and peace, and were used for dances at holidays and any special day(s). Some of the types of dances that the …show more content…
Baule people are farmers, and they grow yams, fish, coffee, cocoa, and nuts. “The importance of the first yam is symbolically offered to the ancestors, whose worship is a prominent aspect of the Baule religion.” The Baule people religiously worship two major gods, Nyamien, who is thought to be the creator god, and Asie, which controls living things; he is the god of the earth. The types of sculptures that the Baule create are stunning. The sculptures are usually made of wood, and they portray people as statues. These amazing statues are extremely
One of the largest tribe in Côte d'Ivoire, which is between Liberia and Ghana, the Baule (also spelled Bauole or Bawule) people are one of the most unique tribes of all of Africa. The name Baule, or “baouli”, means “the child has died.” “According to a legend, during the eighteenth century, the queen, Abla Poku, had to lead her people west to the shores of the Comoe, the land of Senufo. In order to cross the river, she sacrificed her own son.” They are an Akan group, so they speak a Tano language. This tribe has fought many wars, the longest was against the French; many other ethnic groups have not been able to keep their religion alive as long as the Baule people. Unfortunately, the unity of the Baule people were destroyed around 1790, when important families started to fight. The Baule tribe treasure their masks very heavily. These masks, also known as the Goli mask, are worn by only men. The circular face represents the power of the sun, and the horns represent the great power of the buffalo. The mask symbolizes the importance of joy and peace, and were used for dances at holidays and any special day(s). Some of the types of dances that the …show more content…
Baule people are farmers, and they grow yams, fish, coffee, cocoa, and nuts. “The importance of the first yam is symbolically offered to the ancestors, whose worship is a prominent aspect of the Baule religion.” The Baule people religiously worship two major gods, Nyamien, who is thought to be the creator god, and Asie, which controls living things; he is the god of the earth. The types of sculptures that the Baule create are stunning. The sculptures are usually made of wood, and they portray people as statues. These amazing statues are extremely