African Arts Gallery

Small anthropomorphic sculpture in bust, used during the initiations to the Bwami, and whose face is similar to lega masks. Satin light brown patina. Residual kaolin inlays.
The teacher of the Bwami guided the aspiring lega to a place where African lega masks and statuettes were exposed, and it was through careful observation that the future initiate had to guess the more or less complex meaning of these objects, true metaphors largely referring to proverbs and sayings. Those who were not allowed to see the object, in order to be protected, had to submit to expensive ceremonies, and sometimes even join the lower rank of the Bwami, the kongabulumbu, at great expense to the families. Each of these initiations took place over seven days and featured at least seven performances. Items won individually were then kept in a woven bag worn over the shoulder, in a basket for those who were won collectively.