This large and naturalistic carved figure was made by the Lobi, a devoutly religious people in southwest Burkino Faso. This society has no political leaders and observes very strict religious laws, worshipping a number of spirits (thils) who they believe bless and protect their communities.

This sculpture, called a boteba, represents one of these spirits. According to Lobi myth, Thil come in pairs of opposite gender. The Boteba that depict them were thus carved in pairs. Somewhere, there is a male counterpart for this female boteba, carved by the same hand.