Male ancestor figure "singiti" ·  D. R. Congo, Hemba, Niembo style · ID: 3046030

Description

wood, rep. (base), on pedestal

This idealized portrait commemorated and honored the lifetime accomplishments of a deceased male ancestor. With its serene expression the figure embodies the dignity and wisdom of a respected elder.

As spiritual mediators between the living and the dead, these figures were preserved in a shrine, where they were paid homage with prayers and blood sacrifices.

The figures also provided a powerful ideological message about family continuity and legitimized the political authority inherited by the ancestor’s living kin.

The object Male ancestor figure “singiti” with the object ID 3046030 was last part of the auction 93rd Tribal Art Auction at November 16, 2019 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 250.

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Comparing literature

Neyt, Francois, La Grande Statuaire Hemba du Zaire, Louvain-la-Neuve 1977