Puppet head "kebe kebe" · D. R. Congo, Kuyu · ID: 3046836
not available anymore
Provenance
presumably William Brill, New York, USARobert Dowling, San Francisco, USA
Bonhams, New York, 15 May 2008, Lot 710
Size
H: 46 cm
H: 18.1 inch
Description
wood, colour pigments, old collection label, custom mount
This head sculptures were used for a dance bearing the same name “kebe kebe”, which occurs at the end of initiation periods of young boys. The head sculptures were attached to staffs, which the dancers held high above their heads.
Kebe-kebe puppets depict various characters associated with this dance. One of the major characters is “ebongo”, the serpent god of the Kuyu people, who gives birth to the primordial couple.
Publications
AHDRC: 0013464