Lobi

About the 250 000 Lobi people live in southwestern Burkina Faso and northeastern Ivory Coast and Ghana.

The artist of Lobi carve some wood figures known as Bateba (Bateba protect people from witches and sorcerers. These Bateba are called Bateba Witches), which are believed to embody the Thila spirits. The Thila are invisible spirits of nature with certain supernatural abilities and powers that they can use for malevolent or benevolent ends.

The Thila are represented by figures in wood brass clay, ivory or other materials but most are carved of wood.

Among the Lobi and most other peoples in Burkina Faso, wooden figures represent spirits that men encounter in the wild bush, far from cultivated fields.

Lobi people produce seats supported by three feet, and occasionally decorate them with a human or animal figure.