Small standing figure "phuungu" ·  D. R. Congo, Suku · ID: 3033502

Description

wood, shiny dark brown patina, remains of pigments, both arms folded in front of the body, a cavity filled with magical substance in the chest, min. dam., fissures, slight traces of abrasion, on wooden base;
possibly there were packages of magical loading attached to both arms and further paraphernalias added to the figure, which is presumably a magical figure “phuungu”. These figures served as containers for protective magical power exercised by the experts against illness, to avenge sorcery and for supernatural assistance in hunting.