Zemanek-Münster

Dance or rattle stick of the "khimba" initiation society ·  D. R. Congo, Bakongo · ID: 3052025

Price EUR 2,500
plus 27 % commission, VAT, transport and insurance
Provenance
Sotheby’s London, 15 May 1972, lot 171
Egon Guenther (1921-2015) Collection, Johannesburg, South Africa
Sotheby’s New York, 18 November 2000, lot 146
Helmut (1931-2021) & Marianne Zimmer, Zurich, Switzerland
Hammer Auktionen, Basel, 25 April 2024, lot 61
Size
H: 50,4 cm
H: 19.8 inch

Description

wood, collection emblem “EG”, base

These rattle / dance sticks were used by boys during initiation rituals. For this purpose, the sticks were wrapped in raffia fibres, to which numerous nutshells were attached that made noise when moved. The staff could also be planted in the ground to delineate sacred spaces.

The “Janus” effigies are called “thafu malungu” and represent the first male initiates “matundu” and “malanda”. (According to Felix, 2003, p. 107)


The object Dance or rattle stick of the “khimba” initiation society with the object ID 3052025 was part of the auction Auction 104 on April 12, 2025, lot number 345 at that time and is currently available for EUR 2,500 in Open sale.

Here you will find more objects and interesting facts about African art.


Comparing literature

Felix, Marc L. (ed.), Kongo Kingdom Art, China 2003, p. 107


Publications

AHDRC: 0021319


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