Figure "okifa" · D. R. Congo, Mbole · ID: 3033811
Michael Sorafine, Los Angeles, USA
Description
wood, dark brown patina, white and yellow paint remains, of schematized forms with slanting shoulders and high headgear, two drillings at the back, min. dam., minor missing parts, slight traces of abrasion, on metal base;
the religious and social life of the Mbole is controlled by the “lilwa” society. Death by hanging plays an important role in Mbole society. This penalty is applied to adulterers, evil sorcerers and members of the “lilwa” society who have betrayed the society’s secrets. These “okifa” (= “hanged”) called figures cannot be regarded as individual portraits. However, the motif of hanging is clearly shown. They were presented to the people who were going to be initiated in order to caution them and thus served as an emphatic warning against offences and betrayal of secrets.
Comparing literature
Schädler, Karl-Ferdinand, Lexikon Afrikanische Kunst und Kultur, München, Berlin 1994, p. 278