Monkey, known as Mbra and sometimes referred to as Gbekre by the Baule, are considered as power figures used in many rituals. One ritual is a trance divination, where the spirit of Mbra assists the diviner in his effort to convey messages from the spirits of other world to the living, in order to solve a problem during a consultation. This is the one rare occasion where an Mbra can be seen to everybody.

When not in use, the Mbra would be displayed on a shrine. Monkey figures are considered too powerful for women to see, and are kept hidden in the bush where they are fed with sacrificial offerings. The encrusted patina on this figure is from sacrificial offerings and ritual libations poured over the figure.

The bowl was used as a container for magic elements. Some large, even sinister-looking, full-sized versions are thought to be carved by blacksmiths and used as guardians of special places or even entire villages. They usually have bared teeth and are also heavily encrusted with sacrificial offerings.