Standing female figure "kambei"

Description

wood, shiny black patina, neck rings, elaborate coiffure, carved with loincloth and armrings, scarification marks on face and back, rep. (breakage right foot tip), fine cracks, slight traces of abrasion, base;
for quite a long Time virtually all figures from the region have been called “minsereh” and have been associated with “yassi”. According to a newer research approach found by Hart they rather belong to a Mende society called “njayei”. This association keeps pairs of figures, male and female, known as “kambei” and “lomba” respectively. Such figures are said to represent both deceased members of the association and, in some sense, the associations ancestral spirits, possibly the original founders of the local chapter.

Publications

AHDRC: 0112749