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Bariba People,Benin.Rare Terracotta Ceremonial Vessel

Description
This piece of pottery vessel, embellished with high relief figures, was made by women of the ethnic group of the Bariba (or Baatonu) in the northern provinces of Benin. The Bariba potters passed their trade from mother to daughter. They didn’t make their vessels on a pottery wheel, but kneaded them by hand. The raw material they used, was river clay. Various pieces of pottery were used in ceremonies by spirit mediums. The disc shape mouth of the pot was used as a fire basin. The light was produced with the help of balls of cotton or wool, soaked in shea butter and lit with fire. Yoruba influence is reflected in the figural pottery of the Bariba.