Neckrest from the prince of Bangassou
Description
wood, dark brown patina, lancet-shaped receptacle with lid, carved with a vaulted pillow, serving as neckrest and as handle of the receptacle as well, diamond-shaped incised ornaments with remains of cord material, inventory number in white paint on one side: “976”, slightly dam., minor missing parts (on one side of the lid), cracks, traces of old age and usage;
the Nzakara are a Sudanic people of Central African Republic origin who were pushed southwards by the Banda expansions. In the 18th and 19th century they were under Mangbetu hegemony. Then, as the Zandes advanced, they gradually became “zandeized”. When Mahdist and Khartumite Sudanese occupied the area in their quest for ivory and slaves, the Nzakara immediately collaborated with them. A well-known sultan was Bangasso who ruled at the turn of the 19th to 20th century. According the Instituut voor Kulturele Antropologie Nijmegen the present object is said to have been in the possession of the prince of Bangassou who used it as a treasure chest, called „mbatali“.