Zemanek-Münster

Standing male figure "biteki"

D. R. Congo, Teke
not available anymore
Provenance
German Private Collection, Berlin
Size
H: 39 cm
H: 15.4 inch

Description

wood, partly encrusted brown patina, small cavity with remains of magical mass in the upper part of the body , min. dam., missing parts through insect caused damage, cracks, base;
such protective and magical figures are used as a prophylaxis against sleeping sickness and other illnesses. In some examples the medicine package “bilongo” is missing. Such packages are often scraped out by the “nganga”, little by little, and sold as healing or protective dust.


Publications

Bomann-Museum (Hg.), Afrikanische Kunst, Sammlung Robert Lewitzki, Celle 2012, p. 24

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