Male power figure "buti" · D. R. Congo, Teke · ID: 3049475
Description
wood, base
“Buti” figures are named after and identified as specific male ancestors and located in a shrine to one’s deceased family members.
They are designed to help with a variety of problems.
The addition of “bonga” (magical charge) transforms the inanimate sculptural shell of the figure (figures devoid of “bonga” are called “tege”) into an ancestor.
To desacralise an ancestral figure, the mystical substances located within must be removed. Upon the death of a figure’s owner, “buti” are buried along with his body and other belongings.
The object Male power figure “buti” with the object ID 3049475 was last part of the auction 99th Auction at November 12, 2022 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 57.
You can find more Figures and other popular object types on our related topic pages. You may also be interested in our page on African art.
Publications
Expo cat.: "Afrikanische Kunst, Sammlung Robert Lewitzki", Bomann-Museum (Hg.), Celle 2012, p. 24 (left)
Exhibition
Celler Schloß, Gotische Halle: "Afrikanische Kunst, Sammlung Robert Lewitzki", 10. Juli - 31 August 2012