African Arts Gallery

Ritual rattle which was used in divination ceremonies. Satin black patina. A people from Central Africa established in Kasai, neighboring the Kuba, the Ndengese, Dengese, form one of the clans descended from a common Mongo ancestor, some of them they being from the Upper Nile. They produced primitive art statues with absent or truncated lower limbs, covered with graphic symbols, symbolizing the prestige of the leader, called "Isikimanji". The flared hairstyle, often topped with a horn at the top, is characteristic of the hairstyles acquired by the Totshi chiefs belonging to the ikoho association and evokes particular proverbs. It symbolizes respect, intelligence and maturity. Ref.: “Treasures of Africa” Tervuren Museum.