African Arts Gallery

African sculpture associated with the ancestors, symbolic coat of arms for the clan, covered with metal sheets according to the Kota tradition. These reliquary statues are distinguished by the shape of the headdress, which varies depending on the region. This copy presents a face haloed with metallic spheres reminiscent of the globular pupils. Erosions.
The Kota inhabit the eastern part of Gabon, which is rich in iron ore, and some in the Republic of Congo. The blacksmith, in addition to wood carving, made tools for agricultural work as well as ritual weapons. The sculptures playing the role of "medium" between the living and the dead who watched over their descendants, were associated with bwete rites, comparable to those of the Fang. They are sometimes bifaced, the mbulu-viti, symbolizing the masculine and feminine aspect at the same time. This type of piece, called ngulu, acted as a "guardian" of the relics above the baskets containing the mortuary remains of high-line ancestors. In the exclusive presence of initiates, the major decisions of the clan were taken during ceremonies during which reliquaries were taken out and used. In order to reactivate its magical charge, the initiates rubbed the relic with sand.