African Arts Gallery

Ritual object used during divination sessions, consisting of three small superimposed gourds surmounted by a male bust figure evoking the mediating spirit. Seeds and elements named bijimba with magical virtues, were introduced into dried fruits, producing a sound when the object is shaken. These sculptures bankishi (sing. nkishi) were used as part of the bugabo , a society dedicated to hunting, healing and war. Dark satin patina.
The Hemba have long been subject to the neighbouring Luba empire, which has had a definite influence on their culture, religion and art. The cult of ancestors is central to hemba society. Genealogy is indeed the guarantor of the privileges and distribution of land. All aspects of the community are imbued with the authority of the ancestors. Thus, they are considered to have an influence on justice, medicine, law and sacrifices. Mastering sculpture with talent, the Hemba have mostly produced statues of ancestors singiti, embodying leaders, local warriors, or lineage ancestors that they venerated in order to appease the spirits mizimus. A wide variety of ritual objects, fetishes, simiesque masks, gourds, and others of daily use have made their fame.