The bust of this cylindrical Janiform statuette was generally loaded with magical ingredients called " Bonga " or "bilongo". Various symbolic and ritual accessories complete the whole. The face is traditionally streaked with scarifications. Matte patina .. Established between the Democratic Republic of the Congo , the Republic of the Congo and Gabon, the Téké were organized into chiefdoms, the leader of which was often chosen from among the blacksmiths. The head of the family, mfumu , had the right of life or death over his family, the importance of which determined his prestige. The chief of the clan, ngantsié , kept the great protective fetish tar mantsié which supervised all the ceremonies. It is the powerful healer and diviner who "loaded" with magical elements, against payment, the individual statuettes. It was also according to his directives that worship was given to ancestors. The statues without magical charge were called nkiba , the Janiform statues embodying pwaw chiefs. The statuettes, named mutinu bmmba , matomba or butti , were endowed with an apotropaic function or ensured, depending on the case, the smooth running of the childbirth. Bilongo were sometimes taken from the objects, leaving them bloodless, and incorporated into new sculptures to be sold to other families.
240.00 € Possibility of payment in 2x (2x 120.0 €) This item is sold with its certificate of authenticity
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