African Arts Gallery

Rare African feminine fetish statue of the Songye, with a protective purpose. The arms are classically positioned around a protruding abdomen.  The particularity of these fascinating tribal figures lies mostly in the angular treatment of the form, the imposing triangular face that sometimes takes up the features of the African mask kifwebe, the rictus formed by the mouth, and the attitude deported forward of the bulging belly. Shiny patina, abrasions and cracks.
These protective fetishes for homes are among the most prized in Africa. The Nkisi plays the role of mediator between god and men, responsible for protecting against various evils. The large ones are the collective property of a whole village, and the smaller ones belong to an individual or a family. In the sixteenth century, the Songyes migrated from the Shaba region to settle on the left bank of the Lualaba River. Their society is organized in a patriarchal manner. Their history is inseparable from that of the Luba to whom they are related through common ancestors. Divination was very present in their society and allowed them to discover sorcerers and to shed light on the causes of the plagues that struck individuals (ref: Trésors d'Afrique, Musée de Tervuren, ed. De Vries-Brouwers; "Art and life in Africa" C.De Roy; "Le Sensible et la Force" ed. Musée Royal de l'Afrique Centrale)