Female figure "wayinda" ·  D. R. Congo, Lega · ID: 3035998

Description

wood, dark brown patina, traces of black paint, the face originally whitened with a thick layer of kaolin, the body simplified with accentuation of the essential: the bulging belly of a pregnant and female genitals, slightly dam., abrasion of paint, small traces of insect caused damage (backside), base;
present figure does not portray a fertility figure (as is often said) nor a normally pregnant woman, but a pregnant adulteress or a pregnant woman on whom weighs a curse because of her illicit behaviour. Her comportment has created some form of ritual pollution of which she and others in the family may be victims. Sometimes when a man falls sick, the oracles may stipulate that it is because of his wifes failure. In case he dies as the result of sickness, his wife must pass through an ordeal: either drink water with which the corpse was washed, sleep on his tomb or eat from an antelope that was hung above his tomb.

Comparing literature

Biebuyck, Daniel P., Lega, Brussels 2002, p. 124 Cameron, Elisabeth L., Art of the Lega, Los Angeles 2001, p. 158