Ritual staff of the "khimba" initiation society
Description
wood, reddish brown patina, remains of kaolin, composed of three elements: stake-like spike, central recess used as a handgrip, and two back to back figures on top, slightly dam., missing parts (headdress), fine cracks;
the two figures represent the first male initiates “matundu” and “malanda”. Both balance boxes (likely representing lineage reliquaries) on their heads. They grip sticks behind their necks, referring to those used during initiation rites to beat the initiates. The initiates later used them as dance sticks during the concluding ceremonies. They are kept as symbols of their endurance and adult status. Around their waists they were originally wrapped with a large bunch of plaited raffia fiber, to which are tied numerous nutshells that make noise when agitated. Accordingly the object functioned as a ritual musical instrument. It could also be planted in the ground to delineate sacred spaces and demarcate initiation proceedings.