Standing male figure ·  D. R. Congo, Basikasingo · ID: 3032532

Description

wood, blackish brown patina, encrusted in some areas, both arms close to the body, ornamental bladebones, accentuated spine, slightly dam., cracks, paint rubbed off, on plate;
the Basikasingo have rites for ancestors, who have the power to cause disease and misfortune. If a mischief happened, people tried to experience the wishes of the ancestors by interpreting dreams and by sooth saying. They were kept in small shrines under the authority and guardianship of a petty chief, village headman or dominant lineage elder. Sometimes such figures were individually identified ancestors, called “bashumbu”.

Comparing literature

Biebuyck, Daniel P., Statuary from the pre-Bembe hunters, Tervuren 1981, p.115 Kerchache, Jacques, Paudrat, Jean-Louis u.a., Die Kunst des Schwarzen Afrika, Freiburg, Basel, Wien 1988, p. 584 f.