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Gong Beater

Baule Gong Beater (C) -Lawle

Ivory Coast
Baule

Wood
ca. Mid-Late 20th century

Height: 28 cm
Idiophone - Struck Directly - Gong Beater

This kind of device is used by Baule trance diviners (Komien). The sound of a gong hit with a felt gong striker such as this one, act as a catalyst that trigger the state of awareness necessary for komien to serve as medium. From its appearance, I believe this object was made specifically for the collecting market.

 

Owner:
Catalog#: AF-IDST-113-12