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

Statue Nkanu (N° 19741)

This sculpture of a drummer comes from the Nkanu of the D.R.C. Large eye sockets highlighted by perforations, with pierced pupils evoking trance, distinguish the face of the character with a rounded back, perched astride a cylindrical volume whose base develops into a collar. The polychromy of the head surmounting a long massive neck, coated with white clay and reddish pigments, is characteristic of the Nkanu. Satin patina. Desiccation cracks.

The Nkanu live from agriculture along the Lufimi River. Their villages are grouped in clusters of four or five under the authority of a local chief leading the heads of families. Their artistic production is mainly linked to initiation rites. The drummers appear on the carved wooden panels displayed during the initiation rites "kimeki". The sound of the drum, among the Kongo and Yaka, covered the moaning of the nkanda circumcision, chased away malevolent spirits, and encouraged the future initiates. A similar piece was donated by François Edouard Cabra in 1903 to the Royal Museum for Central Africa in Tervuren . Litt. 100 People of Zaire and their Sculpture" M.L. Félix.  

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Originex-collection française.
EthnyNkanu
Countryrdc ex zaire
Material(s)wood
Height cm52
Width15 cm
Weight2.90 Kg
Estimated datingmid-xx°

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