Standing female figure "lomba" or "kambei" ·  Sierra Leone, Mende · ID: 3038245

Description

wood, matt black patina, eyes with indigo blue porcelain inlay, unusual hairdo, rich attachment: belt with loincloth, bracelets, necklace with islamic triangle on the back, rich skin scarification marks (checkerboard pattern), slightly dam., rep. (left foot, shock of hair), abrasion of paint, plate, collection number “AC 42-17” at the same place;
for quite a long time virtually all figures from the region have been called “minsereh” and have been associated with the “yassi” society. According to a newer research approach found by W. A. Hart they rather belong to a Mende society called “njayei”. This association keeps pairs of figures, male and female, known as “lomba” and “kambei” 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.