African Arts Gallery

Ex-Belgian collection of African art In the very diverse teke statuary, bundzi fetishes are associated with the hunting that they are supposed to promote. While some belonged to the clan, others were dedicated to private use. Around the neck of this heavy ancestor effigy hang protective amulets in the form of sculpted miniatures. Shiny dark patina.
Established between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Gabon, the Téké were organized into chiefdoms whose leader was often chosen from among the blacksmiths. The head of the family, mfumu, had the right of life or death over his family, the importance of which determined his prestige. The head of the clan, ngantsié, kept the great protective fetish tar mantsié which supervised all the ceremonies. It was also according to the instructions of the sorcerer healer that worship was given to the ancestors. The secret society, kidumu, used flat circular masks decorated with polychrome geometric patterns.