This ritual fly-whisk from the Guro people of the Gohitafla region in west-central Côte d'Ivoire belongs to the category of ceremonial regalia that served - far beyond any practical function - as symbols of spiritual authority and social prestige. Within Guro society, elaborately crafted fly-whisks and fly-swatters accompanied dancers, dignitaries, or ritual specialists, underscoring their elevated status during cultic and festive performances. The combination of wood, pigments, textiles, and organic materials reflects the interplay of diverse media characteristic of Guro art. Incl stand. The sculpture is fashioned as a stylized bird - a motif frequently appearing in Guro art as a symbol of mediation between the human and spiritual realms. The long, white-painted beak defines the object's elegant silhouette, while the small, green-pigmented head - featuring recessed circular eyes and a yellow-painted crest - adds vibrant accents. A braided cord threaded through a drilled hole complements the composition and alludes to the object's original function. The neck, body, and wings (which lie flush against the body) are finished in bold red pigment, creating a striking contrast with the other colored areas. Although the tail is now broken off, its original form can still be discerned. The bird figure rests upon a spherical textile cushion that transitions at its base into a braided hair attachment - a combination of materials that further emphasizes the object's ritual nature. Traces of wear and minor losses bear witness to the fly-whisk's intensive use, lending it the authentic patina of a cult object employed in ceremonies over a long period. Selected Bibliography Fischer, Eberhard / Homberger, Lorenz: Die Kunst der Elfenbeinküste. Zurich 1979. Himmelheber, Hans: The art of the Ivory Coast. Munich 1964. Vandenhoute, Claude: Masques and traditional societies of Côte d'Ivoire. Paris 1975. Vogel, Susan Mullin: Africa Explores: 20th Century African Art. New York 1991. Cole, Herbert M.: Icons: Ideals and Power in the Art of Africa. Washington, D.C. 1989. Informant: Bakari MAZ16797 Height: 19 cm Length with hair: 47 cm