African Arts Gallery

The attitude of this sculpted figure is characteristic of the Mbole and Yela figures of the original Mbole Lilwa: legs bent, arms bent unnaturally, hands resting on the thighs. Locally abraded velvety brown patina.
Lualaba province had several similar ethnic groups with similar associations. The Mboles are known for their statues embodying, according to D. Biebuck, hanged, named ofika . The lilwa , an association with dogmatic initiation rites, had a custom of judging and condemning to hanging those guilty of violations of the imposed rules. These offences ranged from murder to adultery to breaking the secrecy surrounding the lilwa . Disgraced, the bodies of convicts had no funeral sat and were buried in the forest. It was during the final ceremonies, presided over by a notable isoya , that these statues were displayed, presented lying on a litter box.