Standing figure ·  D. R. Congo, Bwaka/Bangi · ID: 3040715

Description

light brown wood, dark brown patina, cylindrical trunk, enclosed by clamp-like arranged arms, head flattened on top, carved with vertical ridge on the forehead and projecting ears with small wooden plugs, min. dam., slight traces of abrasion, base;
most of Bwaka sculptures are depictions of “seto” and “nabo”, the earliest ancestor couple. A pair of figures representing these personnages is found almost in every home as well as in many ceremonial areas.They vary in size from personal charms to almost life-sized figures.They functioned as guardians of the owners and their families and drove away the evil spirits that caused sickness and death, made crops fail and hunts go badly and brought about miscarriages.