African Arts Gallery

Lega introductory statuette (N° 14376) Seposit sale

The African art of the Lega , Balega, or Warega , is distinguished by its introductory statuettes, also made of ivory, some of which were kept in a basket intended for the highest rank of bwami of different Communities. This type of statuette of tribal art Iginga ( Maginga plural), was the property of the high-ranking officers of the Bwami , a secret society admitting men and their wives, and governing social life. This organization was subdivided into initiation stages, the highest being the Kindi.Following their exodus from Uganda in the 17th century, the Lega settled on the west bank of the Lualaba River in the DRC. Also called Warega, these individuals live in self-contained villages surrounded by palisades, usually on top of hills. The role of the leader, kindi , is held by the oldest man of the clan, who must be the highest-ranking. As in other forest tribes, men hunt and clear while women grow cassava. Social recognition and authority also had to be won individually: the chief owed his selection to his heart (mutima), good character, intelligence, and impeccable behavior.
Small stocky silhouette with muscular limbs, it displays a sculpted face in the heart in which the mouth has two sticks indicating the teeth. The piece was encased with a blackish cover partially abraded by use. Kaolin remains on the face. Source: "Art of the Lega" E.L.Cameron