African Arts Gallery

Small statuette for individual use, whose head is pierced with a hole at the top for ritual purposes. A touching asymmetry of the ears is to be noted. Mottled patina of use.
Formerly subject to the Luba, then to the Lundas, the Zela have adopted a large part of their customs and traditions. Established between the Luvua River and Lake Kisalé, they are today organized into four chiefdoms under the supervision of leaders of Luba origin. They venerate a primordial couple frequently represented in statuary, mythical ancestors, and dedicate offerings to the spirits of nature. In addition to their powerful Mbudye society, the Zela also have a women's initiation association called kisungu. ( Luba , Roberts, 5 Continents; "Treasures of Africa" ed. of the Museum of Tervuren; "100 ...

Within African tribal art every everyday object is transformed into a sculpted work of great refinement. The major role held by women in the political life of the kingdom is illustrated by the recurrence of the female motif in Luba art. Established between the Luvua River and Lake Kisalé, the Zela are today organized into four chiefdoms under the supervision of leaders of Luba origin. They venerate a primordial couple frequently represented in statuary, mythical ancestors, and dedicate offerings to the spirits of nature. This comb is surmounted by a protective effigy embodying a political and spiritual intermediary, a role played by women in Luba royalty. Her headdress, behind a wide band revealing a shaved forehead, evokes one of those worn by Luba women at the beginning of the 20th ...

Dignitary staff decorated with a handle in the form of a cephalomorphic motif. Glossy patina, small accidents, cracks.
Formerly subject to the Luba, then to the Lundas, the Zela have adopted a large part of their customs and traditions. Established between the Luvua River and Lake Kisalé, they are now organized into four chiefdoms under the supervision of leaders of Luba origin. They venerate a primordial couple frequently represented in statuary, mythical ancestors, and dedicate offerings to the spirits of nature.
Ref. : "Luba" 5 Continents. Roberts; "Kifwebe" F. Neyt, ed. 5Continents.

Large mask with rounded volumes, split with long eyelids. Velvety matte patina, desiccation cracks.
In the south-eastern region of Katanga, around the 1960s, the Zela, long subject to the Lubas whose customs and rites they borrowed, carved animal masks, like the Lubas and the Kundas. In 1970, the kifwebe company was subjected to a transformation which was accompanied by new masks. In the Zela and Kundas groups, however, this type of mask was manifested during secular theatrical ceremonies involving tales. br /> Established between the Luvua River and Lake Kisalé, they are today organized into four chiefdoms under the supervision of leaders of Luba origin. They venerate a primordial couple frequently represented in statuary, mythical ancestors, and dedicate offerings to the spirits ...

Headrest with female caryatid motif of Luba or Zela origin. The posture of the character evokes a particular symbolism for the Lubas, the genitals being in contact with the earth. The sculpture of the Luba and related groups indeed represents the woman and her connection with royalty and the bavidye spirits. Brown satin patina, erosions.
Formerly subject to the Luba, then to the Lundas, the Zela, Muzela, or Wazela, have adopted a large part of their customs and traditions. Established between the Luvua River and Lake Kisalé, they are now organized into four chiefdoms under the supervision of leaders of Luba origin. They venerate a primordial couple frequently represented in statuary, mythical ancestors, and dedicate offerings to the spirits of nature.

Small kneeling female figure, fingers meeting on the abdomen. Greyed black patina.
Formerly subject to the Luba, then to the Lundas, the Zela have adopted a large part of their customs and traditions. Established between the Luvua River and Lake Kisalé, they are today organized into four chiefdoms under the supervision of leaders of Luba origin. They venerate a primordial couple frequently represented in statuary, mythical ancestors, and dedicate offerings to the spirits of nature. Ref. : "Luba" 5 Continents. Roberts; "Kifwebe" F. Neyt, ed. 5Continents.

Animal figure whose striated face evokes Luba Kifwebe masks. Gray satin patina.
In the southeastern region of Katanga, around the 1960s, the Zela, long subjected to the Lubas whose customs and rites they borrowed, carved animal masks, like the Lubas and the Kundas. In 1970, the kifwebe company was subjected to a transformation which was accompanied by new masks. Formerly subject to the Luba, then to the Lundas, the Zela have adopted a large part of their customs and traditions. Established between the Luvua River and Lake Kisalé, they are today organized into four chiefdoms under the supervision of leaders of Luba origin. They venerate a primordial couple frequently represented in statuary, mythical ancestors, and dedicate offerings to the spirits of nature. In addition to their ...

Sculpted in dense wood, this female figure for fetish use adopts a compacted morphology and a proportionally large head. The hairstyle is gathered in large parallel shells and the scarifications of the bust evoke those of the Zela. The features offer a contemplative expression.
Golden brown patina. Erosions.
Formerly subject to the Luba, then to the Lundas, the Zela have adopted a large part of their customs and traditions. Established between the Luvua River and Lake Kisalé, they are now organized into four chiefdoms under the supervision of leaders of Luba origin. They venerate a primordial couple frequently represented in statuary, mythical ancestors, and dedicate offerings to the spirits of nature. Ref. : "Luba" 5 Continents. Roberts; "Kifwebe" F. Neyt, ed. ...

In the southeastern region of Katanga, around the 1960s, the Zela, long subject to the Lubas whose customs and rites they borrowed, carved animal masks, like the Lubas and the Kundas. In 1970, the kifwebe company was subjected to a transformation which was accompanied by new masks. In the Zela and Kundas groups, however, this type of mask was manifested during secular theatrical ceremonies involving tales. Velvety matte patina.
Formerly subject to the Luba, then to the Lundas, the Zela have adopted a large part of their customs and traditions. Established between the Luvua River and Lake Kisalé, they are today organized into four chiefdoms under the supervision of leaders of Luba origin. They venerate a primordial couple frequently represented in statuary, mythical ancestors, and ...

In the south-eastern region of Katanga, around the 1960s, the Zela Zela, long subject to the Lubas, from whom they borrowed their customs and rituals, carved animal masks, like the Lubas and the Kundas. In 1970 indeed, the kifwebe society was subjected to a transformation which was accompanied by new masks. In the Zela and Kundas groups, however, this type of mask was used in profane theatrical ceremonies featuring fairy tales. Matte granular patina. Old restorations of an ear and the contour.
Once subject to the Luba, then the Lundas, the Zela adopted many of their customs and traditions. Established between the Luvua River and Lake Kisalé, they are now organized into four chiefdoms under the supervision of leaders of Luba origin. They venerate a primordial couple frequently ...

Ex Belgian African art collection.

Very common in Central Africa, this musical instrument or sanza anthropomorphic offers a sounding board forming the bust of the figure, on which metal slats are attached. The thumbs of both hands will rest on the soundboard to vibrate the front ends of the strips. In Zaire, however, where all the fingers are used as for the piano, groups of instruments play in complementary registers. Brown satin patina, abrasions. Once subject to the Luba, then the Lundas, the Zela have adopted many of their customs and traditions. Established between the Luvua River and Lake Kisale, they are now organized into four chiefdoms under the supervision of leaders of Luba origin. They venerate a primordial couple frequently represented in statuary, mythical ...

Once subject to the Luba and then the Lunda, the Zela have adopted many of their customs and traditions. Established between the Luvua River and Lake Kisale, they are now organized into four chiefdoms under the supervision of leaders of Luba origin. They venerate a primordial couple frequently represented in statuary, mythical ancestors, and make offerings to the spirits of nature. These shields could be hung in the huts. Matt patina with colored highlights.
( Luba , Roberts, 5 Continents ; "Trésors d'Afrique" ed. du Musée de Tervuren; "100 people of Zaire" M.L.Félix ). In the southeastern region of Katanga, around the 1960s, the Zela , long subject to the Luba whose customs and rites they borrowed, carved animal masks, following the example of the Lubas and Kundas. In ...

This African kifwebe (pl.bifwebe) mask, decorated with striations, representing a bird (probably a wild guinea fowl, associated with fertility), appeared in the company of a circular kifwebe mask equipped with a voluminous raffia collar hiding the dancer.
Height on base: 43 cm.
These masks were performed during different traditions: investitures, funerals, and rites against witchcraft in the different initiatory societies. In the eastern part of the Luba region, important ceremonies are held in honor of the clan's ancestors, deceased chiefs, and the new moon. They did indeed have some zoomorphic masks associated with the kifwebe dance. They performed during the ritual ceremonies of the kazanzi society, responsible for fighting witchcraft. Offerings are then made to the ...

Represented seated, taking a determined posture, this female figure probably associated with initiation rites is topped by two lateral "comforters" behind a striped headband. A deep rib divides the forehead, extending to the bridge of the nose. Dense wood, beautiful patina of use, glossy, cracks of desiccation
Once subject to the Luba, then the Lundas, the Zela adopted many of their customs and traditions. Established between the Luvua River and Lake Kisalé, they are now organized into four chiefdoms under the supervision of leaders of Luba origin. They venerate a primordial couple frequently represented in the statuary, mythical ancestors, and dedicate offerings to the spirits of nature. In addition to their powerful Mbudye society, the Zela also have a female initiation ...