Machete with Fetish Figure
Fon, Republic of Benin
Iron, wood, glass, cotton, plastic, string, mineral pigments, libations
20th century

This is a European-made machete with a fetish figure and bottle wrapped over the handle. It could likely have been used in ceremonies connected with Hevioso, the thunder, water, and lightning pantheon of Dahomean vodun. He stands in a positive sense for rain, which brings a good harvest, as well as in the negative sense, as lightning strikes can destroy crops. At the same time, he is the god of justice. He punishes criminals and in the worst cases kills them with a deadly flash (Brosthaus, Skulpturen und Objekte aus der Region des Königreiches Dahomey, 2008; Spring, African Arms and Armor, 1993).

However, this machete could also have been an altarpiece on a shrine dedicated to the Vodun diety Gou.There, it would have received offerings to attract the attention of the diety, whose prerogative was iron and war (Blandin, Fer Noir. D'Afrique de L'Ouest, 1992).

Many Fon objects such as this sword are connected to the Vodun or magical ceremonies undertaken to contact the spirit world and trap harmful forces. Libations typically consist of blood, palm oil, and beer (and sometimes animal parts are added), which are believed to activate an object's spiritual power. The word Vodun is derived from the Yoruba language and also refers to the Fon gods.

The Fon live in the Dahomey kingdom, which is in the Republic of Benin. Oral tradition suggests the Dahomey kingdom was created by a Yoruba princess some time before the 17th century (Bacquart, The Tribal Arts of Africa, 1998).

19 in :: 48 cm

InventoryID #13-2606

Price on Request