The puff adder is found throughout Sub-Saharan Africa and is responsible for the most snakebite fatalities on the continent

By Misaki Imagawa

In a small nameless village among the grasslands of southern Burkina Faso, farmers were already hard at work in the fields while the morning sun was still low in the sky. It was planting season; and every available hand was busy plowing the earth, sticking seeds in the ground, and working in unison on what everyone agreed was back breaking work. Even young children helped by chasing away pesky, seed-eating birds. Finally, when the sun rose in the sky and it was time to take a break, everyone gathered in the shade of a large Shea tree; and it was then they noticed the chief’s youngest son was missing. The farmers spread out, searching frantically through tall grass and unplowed fields. Eventually they found the boy sitting beside a bush, but their blood ran cold when they saw what was coiled around his legs. It was a venomous puff adder, resting its fat body across the boy’s lap!

Bracelet currency from the Gan people of Burkina Faso, West Africa; PRIMITIVE ID# A1300-204

The villagers froze immediately to not arouse the snake, but it began to hiss loudly and puff its large body in warning. Every person there knew the danger. This snake could lunge and sink its long, poisonous fangs in the blink of an eye and kill a person before sunset. “You’ve angered him,” the boy muttered, unfazed by the snake’s threatening behavior. The chief, warning his son not to move, motioned for everyone else to slowly back away; and then he grasped a brass serpent band fitted over his upper arm. The son responded by touching a more petite version of the same band tied around his ankle. “He likes mine too,” he said. As if agreeing with the boy, the puffer calmed down and rested its small triangular head fondly against the boy’s band. Minutes later the snake slipped away and the boy stood and brushed himself off. The miraculous story quickly spread throughout the village and old traditions were stirred with renewed vigor and faith.

	Flat snake-form currency by the Gan people of Burkina Faso, West Africa; PRIMITIVE ID# A0800-469

Throughout many African countries, snakes have historically posed a great threat to humans. Lurking in the bush or under fallen logs, slithering unseen through the long grass, snakes have provided startling, instantaneous, and in many cases fatal experiences. Yet, despite the dangers of living among these animals, many tribes in Burkina Faso have seen snakes as sacred. Killing or eating them was forbidden, while the shedding of their skin was a symbol of rebirth. The animals were more than a symbol; to some they were mediators between this world and the next. In particular, the Lobi and Gan people incorporated the snake motif into much of their brass and copper artworks, which served as decoration, protective amulets and adornment, shrine ornaments, and metal currencies.

Until recently, much of the art emerging from this area was thought to be from the Lobi, but increasingly unusual pieces appearing in the market drew attention to various other sub-groups within the tribe; in particular, the Gan people. Though both groups created serpent artwork, each had their own unique and distinct style. The Lobi often wore flat renditions of snake currencies – flat, undulating metal serpents – strapped to the side of their legs, their forms sometimes appearing to slide up to the knees. As the Lobi were primarily farmers spending many hours in the fields, the pieces were worn to provide protection against snakes. Some snake forms were also created for ceremonial purposes, to be placed on an altar in honor of thil, the spirit of the land. Lobi serpents were usually crafted in iron and abstract in appearance.

	Forged iron snake currency by the Lobi people of Burkina Faso, West Africa; PRIMITIVE ID# A0800-121

The Gan people also perceived the serpent as an entity possessing protective powers, featuring the creature in an array of metal works such as armbands, bracelets and amulets.  Like the Lobi, they also used these forms as currency. However, their adornments were more life-like, stylized representations, although sometimes they appeared with multiple heads, arguably an abstract element. The Gan used these adornments as protectors of households against evil. Warriors also wore them for protection in battle. The snake’s great strength, speed and fearlessness made it a divine symbol for the Gan. They envisioned it coiling tightly around the earth to keep it from falling apart.

Is it belief that gives birth to stories or stories that inspire belief?  The answer most likely is both. Every once in a while, tales of courageous moments fuse with traditional folklore, reinforcing and sometimes even reviving old beliefs. The story of the chief’s son epitomizes the snake as an animal to be feared as well as a sacred symbol and protector of the people. Whether it was the bands protecting the Chief and his son, or the snake’s respect for their fearlessness, this story illustrates the most dangerous foe can be the most powerful ally – especially among the tribal groups of West Africa.      

Bracelet currency with snake motif by the Gan people of Burkina Faso, West Africa; PRIMITIVE ID# A1300-209