Burkina Faso
Lobi

Bronze bell / lost wax casting
Early-Mid 20th Century
Diameter: 5.5 cm
Idiophone-Struck Directly – Bell/Rattle

The Lobi who migrated into Burkina Faso from present day Ghana around 1770, revere supernatural spirits known as “thil” (pl thila). The rules that determine correct social behavior in the community are the rules that the spirit dictates through the diviner (thildar). Each village has a particular spirit (dithil) that is responsible for the entire village.
Shrines are built to these spirits under the instruction of the diviner (thildar) and placed either on the roof or inside the home.  These shrines are filled with objects such as vessels, abstract iron figures, and stone and wood figures known as Bateba. The Bateba are believed to embody the thil spirits and can be used to communicate with one another to fight off witches.

This Lobi crotal bronze bell was most likely used by the diviner (thildar) during communication with the thil spirits. Technically, this crotal bell could be considered a rattle and not a bell since it is sounded by a loose pellet and not a swing clapper.