Senufo Spoon, Côte d’Ivoire

The Senufo people of Côte d'Ivoire are renowned for their ceremonially significant spoons, known as 'tugubele' or 'rice spoons,' which are among the most celebrated objects in African art. These large figural spoons, often depicting female forms or animal motifs, were carried by honored women during harvest festivals and used in competitive displays of generosity and social prestige. Carved by specialized blacksmith-sculptors within the Senufo community, these objects embody the intersection of spiritual power, social hierarchy, and artistic mastery in West African culture.