African Arts Gallery

Belgian collection of African art Among the many carved objects related to hunting and magic including charms for high-ranking officers belonging to the Lombe society, this old small fetish is polished by use. Beautiful dark orange-brown patina, cracks and abrasions.
The Ngbaka form a homogeneous people from the northwest of the DRC, south of Ubangui. The Ngandi live in the east and the Ngombe in the south. The initiation of young people, "gaza" or "ganza" (which gives strength) among the Ngbaka and the Ngbandi, presents many similarities, through endurance tests, songs and dances. The rites required the presence of ancestor sculptures. It was after a period of separation from the village that circumcision and excision were practiced. The closing ceremony was accompanied by musical instruments such as the linga drum and large slit drums.