African Arts Gallery

Tribal statuette Sakimatwematwe (Multi-headed) belonging to an initiate of the Bwami, among the many others used throughout the initiations, linked to a Lega proverb. Equipped with two or more heads, this statuette would always illustrate the need for a global vision of events, and therefore the prudence, wisdom and impartiality that should result from it. (Biebuyck 1973).
Abraded velvety patina, grainy residues of kaolin. Losses and desication cracks.
During the initiation rites of the Bwami, among the Lega, the teacher guided the aspirant to a place where masks and statuettes were displayed, and it was through careful observation that the future initiate had to guess the more or less complex meaning. of these metaphors, the latter largely referring to proverbs and sayings. Each of these initiations took place over seven days and included at least seven performances. Items "won" individually were then kept in a woven bag worn over the shoulder, in a basket for those won collectively. The " Masengo " objects of the Bwami ("powerful things") frequently present gaps, perforations, or abrasions of the wood, due to ritual removals in order to resort to Medicine. A decoction composed of the particles mixed with water was then administered to the patient. (Biebuyck 1976)