Belgian collection of African art The Yaka like to integrate carved objects with cephalomorphic patterns into their daily lives, such as the Yaka slit drum, known as mukoku ngombu or nkoku ngombu. This musical instrument is used during divination ceremonies and healing rituals. The sculpted head, representing a diviner wearing a high skullcap, has a heart-shaped face with prominent eyelids. Its surface has a satin patina, marked by time with cracks and traces of use. During the new moon, the diviner ngaanga ngombu covers his face with kaolin before delivering an oracle. During the day, the moon is also covered in this white clay, symbolizing its vital virtues. The Mukoku Nogombu drum, a miniature version of the large mondo slit drums, accompanies ritual chants and is also used to mix ingredients for medicinal uses. The Yaka society is highly hierarchical and authoritarian, with the lineage chief exercising the power of life and death over his subjects. As is often the case, the art of this ethnic group has been influenced by neighboring populations, mainly the Suku and Kongo.
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