assoserand may include many prescriptions and
restrictions, such as food, hunt, sexual intercourse,
or dress taboos. Although Thila are usually benevo-
lent, violation of one of the rules established by them
might result in severe punishment of a single individ-
ual or the whole village. As spirits, Thila are usually
invisible. However, on occasion, they may appear to
the living in the form of an animal or human being.
Worship PracticesPeople constitute villages based on their shared
veneration of the same Thil. In other words, all
inhabitants of a given village worship the same
spirit and adhere to the same rules of social behav-
ior, and this, in turn, allows them to function in an
effective manner as a tight religious and political
community. It is their common belief in and
veneration of the Thila that provide the Lobi as a
whole with a strong sense of cultural identity and
unity that has proved quite resistant, over the
years, to pressures from outside communities.
Thus, although their close neighbors, the Wawa,
have at least in part accepted Islam, the Lobi have
maintained their own religious traditions.
Community rituals are organized every year at
the village shrines (e.g., at the time of harvest).
Ceremonies are also held to celebrate important
life moments, such as birth, initiation, marriage,
or death. Offerings and sacrifices are then made
to the Thila. Each compound erects at least one
shrine in honor of their Thil under the authority
of a diviner. The shrine typically includes cooking
pots, iron figures, and, quite important,Bateba
(i.e., wood and stone sculptures), which are
believed to house the Thila.
The Bateba (or Batoba), as eminently religious
and spiritual objects, are quite significant and act
as intercessors between the living and the spirits.
Although Bateba may be made with the help of
different materials, such as brass, clay, or ivory,
they are most commonly carved of wood. By
virtue of being placed on a shrine, the Bateba are
said to literally become alive and to be endowed
with the ability to move and fight against evil spir-
its such as witches.
As sculptures, Bateba are abstract figures, but
they may emphasize a particular aspect of the Thil
they house through a specific gesture or feature
representative of the Thil’s power. Thus, Bateba,
known asBetise, represent a man and a woman in
the process of making love, with the man standing
behind the woman. Such Bateba are often recom-
mended for an unmarried man in search of a wife
or for a woman who wishes to have children.
Bateba Yadaworadisplay quite sad expressions
because they mourn the death of a beloved rela-
tive so that their owner will be spared such
mourning. Bateba Yadawora keep their head
down while holding their hands clasped behind
their back.Bateba Ti Puo,in contrast, have one or
both arms raised up in a gesture meant to protect
a home from illness or witchcraft. A Thil Dorka is
a figure with two heads, an unmistakable indi-
cation that they are capable of seeing in several
directions at the same time. Such Bateba are
regarded as quite powerful. Regular Bateba,
known asBateba Phuwe, usually hold their arms
along their sides and look straight ahead.
Lobi carving is well known outside of the Lobi
community because Lobi carvers have gained
widespread admiration for their fine work.
However, Lobi art, as elsewhere in Africa, is inti-
mately linked with Lobi religion.Ama MazamaSeealsoGod; Spirit MediumFurther Readings
Bognolo, D. (2007).Lobi.Milan: 5 Continents.
Hackett, R. I. J. (1994, November). Art and Religion in
Africa: Some Observations and Reflections.Journal
of Religion in Africa, 24 (4), 294–308.
LaGamma, A. (2000, Spring). Art and Oracle: Spirit
Voices of Africa.African Arts, 33 (1), 52–69.
McCall, D. (1986, November). A Lobi Woodcarving.
African Arts, 20 (1), 77–79.
Rouville, C. D. (1987).Organisation Sociale des Lobi:
Une Société Bilinéaire du Burkina Faso et de Côte
d’Ivoire. Paris: L’Harmattan.LOMWE
The Lomwe people live in the northern provinces
of Mozambique in a ribbon that stretches west-
ward into Malawi. They are closely related to aLomwe 383