Standing power figure "phuungu" ·  D. R. Congo, Yaka · ID: 3033737

Description

wood, brown patina, kaolin, accentuated gender, whitened facial plane with tribe-typical facial features, framed by big ears, crowned by a knob-shaped headgear, min. dam., cracks, slight traces of abrasion, on wooden base;
a “phuungu” is owned by the head of a patrilineal kin group and may pass from father to son. Its primary function is to protect against witches and other enemies and for this purpose it is often positioned on the wall near the roof supports in the interior of a dwelling.