African Arts Gallery

African Sakimatwematwe (Multi-headed) statue of Bwami initiation, among the many tribal sculptures used during initiations.
Two-tone satin patina, coated with white kaolin on the faces.
Relative to a Lega proverb, 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) 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 made up of the particles mixed with water was then administered to the patient. (Biebuyck 1976)