This object represents a woman with a prominent belly, wearing three cowrie shells arranged in a triangle on her bust, a white necklace on her right calf, another around her neck, and finally a red necklace on her left calf. The facial features merge into the sacrificial crust, composed mainly of blood. She has no arms. It is a representation of a pregnant woman.

This type of fetish is called a «Wutuji Bocio». «Wu» means «body» while «ji» means «swollen», «bloated» or even «to give birth», «to create». These objects, recognisable by their prominent belly, are sometimes carved directly from wood, or are created by an accumulation of herbs, generally held in place by a piece of cloth soaked and tied around the body, or else held by a braiding of ropes. Many materials and elements are added to them, in order to activate them. These statuettes represent only women, whereas a large number of fetishes have no determined sex. While some faces are distinguished by their realism and fine features, others possess less precise features. Wutuji Bocio are used to grant all sorts of requests, more generally associated with issues of fertility or childbirth. But they can also be associated with witchcraft.

In the Voodoo cult, During pregnancy, several consultations with the Fa are made with the bokono priest to ensure the protection of the woman and her child. The woman must then adhere to a specific diet: not eating eggs because they contain life, or crabs or monkeys so that the child does not walk crookedly... When the child is born, the umbilical cord is cut with a sharp palm leaf. Finally, the mother is secluded in her room with her baby for seven to nine days, or even sixteen days if it is twins.

Arbogast Collection. Wutuji Bocio, Togo, Fon. Wood, cowrie shells, beads, plants and sacrificial materials. 12 x 4 x 4 cm. Château Musée Vodou, No. 707D.