Reliquary bust "mbumba bwiti"

Description

light wood, metal, animal skin,
These busts were used in rituals of the “bwiti” initiation society as part of the ancestor cult “mombe”.

They were placed in baskets containing human bones and magical substances and were supposed to guard the precious contents. They were kept in the men’s house together with ancestor figures “gheonga”.

Notices

This object is subject to the UNESCO Cultural Heritage Protection Act. Export documents are required for export (subjected to a fee).