Ewe maternity

Maternity-Bocio Fon (Zou department, Benin Republic)

Asen and Bocio, Bocio and Asen... The ancient kingdom of Dahomey cannot be understood if you do not understand that Asen and Bocio share time and space.
The Asen brings together all those earthly elements that define the power of the king and the court, his army of Amazons and trade with foreigners from afar. They are the Tohosu horns that proclaim the arrival of the king, the Makpo scepter and the Recades of the diplomats or the enigmatic Keteke stools, objects finely crafted by artisans and goldsmiths that filled (and continue to fill) the palaces of Abomey.
At the other extreme are the Bocio, dirty and commoner objects related to Vodun and the spiritual world: disturbing fetishes made of wood and iron by blacksmiths, so that the Fa diviners end up filling them with magical ashes, palm oil, blood or powders. of indigo to give them their power.
At Black Market we have a good Bocio collection, and today we will show you a Nɔ-Gan. It is about motherhood, yes, but do not look for tenderness, delicacy or affection in it because you will only find the dark vigor and strength of the Mino warriors. Carved in wood by the craftsman, the seer covered the “mother” (Nɔ) with cowries, beads and glass beads; then he hung whistles, bells, amulets and "hooks" of the Hevioso vodun from her neck and her arms, and filled her with children (Sunnu, Nyɔnu and sacred twins); Later, during ceremonies, the Bocio would end up taking on a thick sacrificial veneer to remind us that darkness can also be beautiful.

Height: 52.0cm; Weight: 4.21 Kg