Divination instrument "galukoji" ·  D. R. Congo, Pende · ID: 3037353

Description

wood, bamboo, brown patina, small wooden head with raffia bonnet and feather ornament, facing outward from the end of an “accordion”-like mechanism, consisting of palm bamboo, joined at the top, midpoint and base with raffia fibre, cracks;
during a consultation, the diviner would lay the instrument on his knees with the head facing up. He held it by inserting his finger at some point in the crossbars while names of individuals suspected of crimes were recited. In response to the mention of the culprit’s name, the “galukoji” sprang upward, approaching the diviner’s head.

The object Divination instrument “galukoji” with the object ID 3037353 was part of the auction 78th tribal art auction on October 18, 2014. The object with the lot number 478 achieved a sales price of EUR 700 with an asking price of EUR 450.

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Comparing literature

LaGamma, Alisa, Art and Oracle, New York 2000, p. 43