Zemanek-Münster

Figure of the "bwami" society

D. R. Congo, Lega
not available anymore
Size
H: 13 cm
H: 5.1 inch

Description

bone, brown patina, dark pigment, short legs and stump arms, neckless head with slanting eyes, completely covered with punched dot pattern, min. dam., slight traces of abrasion;
“iginga” (pl. “maginga”) figures are individually owned by the highest-ranking members of “bwami” society and are the most coveted of all initiation objects. The Lega consider “maginga” to have the strongest innate power, and they often use bits of the ivory scraped from these figures to mix in a drink intended for medicinal purpose.


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