| Much of the information concerning this type of figure comes from the fieldwork carried out by Roy Sieber in the Benue Valley in 1958. Similar ones are used among the Goemai, Montol, Yergum, Angas, and other peoples (Sieber 1974a). The first examples collected from this area were by Vischer in 1905 (Boser & Jeanneret 1969: no. 21). These figures are used in a men's healing society called Kwompten (Goemai) or Komtin (Montol), whose activities are kept secret from women and uninitiated men. The basic symbol of the society is a pair of bush cow horns carried by its leader. Sacrificial blood and cereal beer are poured over the figures. Their owners--diviners or healers--determine the cause of clients' afflictions by consulting a bowl of water that holds a sixpence and by interpreting the person's dreams. Disease can be due to malignant spirits or witches. The doctor then makes an appropriate medicine. Figures such as these are also used in cases of possession. Other examples can be found in the literature (Sieber 1974; Sieber 1961: nos. 28-29, 32-34, 44; Sieber & Walker 1987:77). If you have more information concerning this object, its symbolism, its ritual use, its ethnos group, do not hesitate to leave us a comment while clicking over the lower button...
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