Fetish figure - Sakalava - Madagascar - Amulet, Magic Horn

Magic Horn No. 1, length 17 cm x 5 cm, 340 g.
This original, very rare object comes from a faith healer (Ombiasa) of the Sakalava people in southern Madagascar. The Ombiasa have a variety of roles in Malagasy cosmology: he can create love spells, prepare herbal potions for all sensible and nonsensical purposes, influence people through trance, or even kill. These practices echo African Voodoo cults.
To protect against danger, preserve health, and defend against the spirit world, amulets (Ody) are still worn and handmade in southern Madagascar. Our shown "Magic Horn" (Mohara) gathers various fetish objects, which have gained strong "powers" through the Ombiasa. The horn itself already has a special aura throughout Madagascar because it comes from a sacred zebu, a symbol of wealth, status, and the seat of the ancestors. In the south there is a rite of youth cult through cattle theft, where the Mohara are meant to render people invisible. Mohara can serve individual purposes, but when used by the Ombiasa, also serve collective rites. Illnesses in the traditional Malagasy setting are never caused solely by physiological factors, but always by enchantment, transgression of prohibitions (Fady), or simply by human witchcraft. Thus esoteric means are used by healers or astrologers (Mpskidy) to drive these afflictions away.
It consists of a roughly carved zebuhorn, its interior fixed with clay paste, eggs, and blood to hold objects such as coins, medicinal vials, seeds, bones, etc. On the outside, and on the cords, are beads attached with cotton thread—the "vakana gasy." This magic horn was not worn at the hip, probably hung around the neck on a cloth. Made around 1955, acquired 1996 in Tulear.