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 171Egon 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)
Comparing literature
Felix, Marc L. (ed.), Kongo Kingdom Art, China 2003, p. 107
Publications
AHDRC: 0021319