Initiation rattle "ntafu mahangu" · D. R. Congo, Sundi · ID: 3043488
American Private Collection, New York
Description
wood, dark brown patina, remains of kaolin, grass fibres, the actual rattle elements missing, min. dam., insect caused missing parts, fine cracks, slight traces of abrasion, base.
This rattle was an emblem for the initiation camps of young boys called “nkimba”. The back-to-back position stands for duality, refers to this world and the world of the spirits. The rattle was affixed on top of a vessel filled with water symbolizing the passage from the world of the living into the world of the dead.
The object Initiation rattle “ntafu mahangu” with the object ID 3043488 was last part of the auction 88th Tribal Art Auction at March 10, 2018 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house. The object with the lot number 467 achieved a sales price of EUR 2,000.
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Comparing literature
Dulon, Bernard et. al., Oggetti e ritmi, Roma 1980, p. 53, ill. 41
Publications
AHDRC: 0021312