Hat "sawamazembe" ·  D. R. Congo, Lega · ID: 3037592

Description

of woven raffia fibers, adorned with darkened fiber strands finishing in seed capsules, at the front adorned with two warthog tusks, a giant cowrie snail and several coloured buttons, raffia chin strap stud with buttons and cowrie snails, min. dam., cracks (tusks), base;
headdresses are worn by members of the “bwami” society. This initiatory society formed an important foundation for the socio-political organization of the Lega. “Sawamazembe” is one of several types of hats owned by male initiates of the highest level of the surpreme grade (“lutumbo lwa kindi”). There is a tendency for the most expert preceptors of “kindi” to possess it. The hat may be worn daily and during initiation rituals. Its general shape imitates the women’s plaited “mazembe” coiffure.

The object Hat “sawamazembe” with the object ID 3037592 was last part of the auction 78th tribal art auction at October 18, 2014 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 439 achieved a sales price of EUR 10,000.

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Comparing literature

Cameron, Elisabeth L., Art of the Lega, Los Angeles 2001, p. 74, ill. 5.15 Biebuyck, Daniel P. & Nelly van den Abbeele, The Power of Headdresses, Brussels 1984, p. 85, ill. 35

Publications

Sieber, Roy & Frank Herreman (ed.), Hair in African Art and Culture, New York 2000, p. 60, ill. 58