Standing female ancestor figure "hamba"

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Description

wood, reddish brown patina with partly rubbed off blackish painting, a strong and slender body with the female sex chararacteristics especially accentuated, incised tattoos on the abdomen, slightly dam., paint rubbed off, on base;
a male diviner commonly works in alliance with a powerful female ancestor, because Luena men acknowledge the superior abilities of women in the manipulation of the supernatural. This female “hamba”, or ancestral figure, once assisted a male diviner in his battles against the harmful, evil, or anti-social elements that threatened his community.

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Comparing literature

Jordán, Manuel (ed.), Chokwe!, München, London, New York 1998, ill. 105

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