Female figure "mbulenga" or "lupingu" ·  D. R. Congo, Lulua (Luluwa) · ID: 3049257

Description

wood, pokerwork,

These figures of particularly beautiful female form are used by a cult called “bwanga bwa bwimpe”, whose primary task is to promote female fertility and protect the health of newborns.

The term “bwimpe”, sometimes replaced by “(m)bulenga”, denotes physical beauty as a sign of moral integrity, combining the idea of beautiful and good.

For the Lulua, the ideal combination of physical beauty and moral virtue constitutes the best protection against sorcery.

The object Female figure “mbulenga” or “lupingu” with the object ID 3049257 was last part of the auction 99th Auction at November 12, 2022 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 331.

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Comparing literature

Fagaly, William, Ancestors of Congo Square, New Orleans 2011, p. 326 f.