Leather-Wrapped Equestrian, Putchu Guinadji
Kotoko, Chad
Bronze/brass, leather, cotton
Mid 20th century

A large example for its type, with an authentic leather wrap. The last photo, an x-ray, shows the sculpture underneath. That's a saddle, people. A large, pointy saddle.

The meaning and function of these enigmatic pieces was quite under-studied until Henning Christoph traveled to Cameroon in 2012 to research and document their origins. Christoph is a photographer, author, documentary film maker, and founder of the Soul of Africa Museum in Essen, Germany. This description concisely summarizes their purpose:

"The casting of the Putchu Guinadji is dying out with only a few casters and marabouts left still who offer this service to heal madness. The word Putchu means horse and Guinadji means demon in the Kotoko language. Putchu Guinadji are the horse and rider who fight the demons attacking a mad person. The horsemen are usually worn on a string or leather band under the arm and under clothing, concealed from other people. No one may touch a Putchu Guinadji that is worn and active because the madness can be passed on. The sick person wears the talisman all his/her life and by its rubbing against the body, the Putchu Guinadji develops a very smooth patina. After the person has died, the piece may be sold or given back to the marabout who activated it. Some people are buried with their Putchu Guinadji ."

The religious expert whom Christoph interviewed, Bakoura, said that if the Putchu Guinadji is encased in leather and has attachments, it is for a very serious case of madness.

3.25 in :: 8.5 cm

InventoryID #13-371

SOLD