African art > African statues : tribal fetish, maternity > Mbole Statue

Mbole Statue (N° 24016)

Taking up the traditional posture and the suffering physiognomy of mbole sculpted subjects, this statuette offers two-tone hues.
The Mbole are known for their statues embodying, according to D. Biebuck, hanged men, named ofika. The lilwa , an association with dogmatic initiation rites, used to judge and sentence to hanging those guilty of violations of the imposed rules. These offenses ranged from murder to adultery to breaking the secrecy surrounding the lilwa. Dishonored, the bodies of the condemned enjoyed no funeral and were buried in the forest. It was during the ceremonies at the end of the initiation, presided over by a notable isoya, that these statues were exhibited, presented lying on a litter.  

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OriginEx-collection belge
EthnyMbole
Countryrdc ex zaire
Material(s)wood
Height cm16
Width6 cm
Weight0.15 Kg
Estimated datingcirca 1960

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