Produced by the pygmies of the Ituri forest in the Democratic Republic of Congo, these woven fabrics made of ficus bark fibers were painted by women. The men cut wood and hammered the bark, and the women usually used a decoction of gardenia mixed with charcoal ash to draw designs similar to the tattoos worn by tribal members. In this example, where the fibers spread locally, grids and star patterns have been drawn on the light background, with a line connecting each one. The rhythm and the space created between the different signs would also have a link with the polyphonic songs with which the pygmies of Ituri address God. The Mangbetu, in contact with the Asua pygmies, produced a similar type of cloth (called tapa in Oceania) decorated with more complex symbols called murumba or nogetwe. This type of cloth, if not worn as a loincloth, could be stretched on the inner walls of the huts. Ref : "Art sans pareil" J. Volper ; "Africa, the Art of a Continent" ed. Prestel.
This item is sold with its certificate of authenticity
You could also be interested by these items
If your offer is accepted, the item will be ordered on your behalf automaticaly. By making offer, you accept the selling conditions.
You must login to make an offer Log in