Brightly painted belly-mask. These "masks" were worn by pregnant women, to ward off evil spirits and to ensure the delivery of a healthy child. Wood/paint. Dim. 37 x 54 cm (incl. steel socle). Yoruba,Nigeria.

Brightly painted bench-back. From the period of Haile Selassi ( pre-1974). Ambo-region. West-Ethiopia. l.191 cm.

Large marionette, representing an hyena. These figures were used in performances and spectacles, by the Bozo in the Ségou-region.Wood/cloth/raffia and paint. Height; 105cm.Mali. On steel socle.

Large decorated box for keeping porcelain cups for the coffee-ceremony. L. 67 cm. Gurage. Ethiopia.

Large wooden gravemarker from the Wolliso-region of Ethiopia. With phallic symbol on the head. Lenght; 176cm. ( 40 cm. wide) On steel socle.

Wooden hippo, worn on the back, during processions and carnavals. Painted and with straps. Bidjogo, Guineé-Bissau.L 52 cm. On steel socle.

Marionette-mask, used in performances. Painted. H. 74 cm. Bambara, Mali. On steel socle.

Two ceremonial staffs,the large one from the royal ciry of Abomey. The smaller one is a priest's staff, representing the god Shango. H. 38-46 cm. Fon, Benin.

Roomdivider, used in large huts in rows, h.153 cm., On steel socle. Gurage, Ethiopia

Stick-marionette used in performances. H. 66 cm. Bozo. Mali. On steel socle.

5 Wooden staffs of different designs.Used in traditional dancing ceremonies in the Bobo and Lobi community. L. 47-63 cm.Burkina Faso.