Ritual board "n'kita" · D. R. Congo, Teke, Tsaye · ID: 3042458
Description
light wood, matt black patina, kaolin, the frontside carved with various geometrical patterns, several drilled holes for attachment, dam., missing parts along rim, cracks, traces of weathering, waterspots (backside);
such boards were used for the “n’kita” ritual. Every sign on the board has a different symbolism and meaning. The board was attached to the bed of the woman who was chosen to be an oracle/medium for soothsaying. After the ritual most of these boards were burned.
The object Ritual board “n’kita” with the object ID 3042458 was last part of the auction 86th Tribal Art Auction at May 27, 2017 on Zemanek-Münster Auction house and had the lot number 484.
Here you will find more objects and interesting facts about African art.
Publications
AHDRC: 0142382