Tshol

Refers to carved wooden sculptures depicting stylized heads and necks of birds. The larger sized style features a very long, usually pointed beak and a face that may include features of a crocodilem, a horned figure, or a D'mba figure; the arching neck piece is mounted on a detachable spherical base. The other main style. is smaller, made from one piece of wood, is more compact,with a shorter beak, is less elaborately carved, and mounted on a concave base. They serve mainly as shrine pieces, representing both the Supreme God and the spiritual protector of the family lineage. Alternative uses are as dance headresses and divination implements for such rituals as male and female initiation and harvest, healing, judiciary, and funerary ceremonies.