African art > African statues : tribal fetish, maternity > Songye figure

Songye figure (N° 23399)

Anthropomorphic figure with a striated face like the masks of the kifwebe. Satin patina, desiccation cracks.
In the 16th century, the Songyes migrated from the Shaba region to settle on the left bank of the Lualaba, in Katanga and Kasai. Their society is organized in a patriarchal way. Their history is inseparable from that of the Luba, to whom they are related through common ancestors. Very present in their society, divination made it possible to discover sorcerers and to shed light on the causes of the misfortunes that struck individuals. The masked performances of male masks provided an opportunity to carry out punitive expeditions and maintain social order. The female masks, supposed to be equipped with divinatory faculties, activated by their dances the benevolent spirits. The fetish Songye, magic sculpture Nkisi, nkishi (pl. mankishi), plays the role of mediator between gods and men. The large specimens are the collective property of an entire village, the smaller figures belong to an individual or a family.  

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240.00 
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OriginEx-collection belge
EthnySongye
Countryrdc ex zaire
Material(s)wood, cuir, plant fibre
Height cm36
Width9 cm
Weight0.85 Kg

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