Standing male power figure "tege" ·  D. R. Congo, Teke · ID: 3045301

Description

wood, base

After the magical charge was applied by a healer “nganga”, the figures were called “buti”. If the figure was not loaded - as in present case - it was called “tege”.

The face has deeply carved, evenly spaced vertical lines representing typical Teke scarification (“mbandjuala”).

Individually owned, “buti” figures represented and were named after a deceased male ancestor or chief. A “buti” was kept in its male owner’s house, and when he died, it was buried with him.