Two friction oracles "kashekesheke" ·  D. R. Congo, Luba · ID: 3034182

Description

wood, shiny brown patina, corpus with a rectangular hole in the middle, crowned by a human head, min. dam., fine cracks, slight traces of abrasion;
Luba diviners use “kashekesheke” in order to solve social problems. Among groups to the north of the Luba, most notably the Songe, a similar technique is called “katadora”. During a consultation, client and diviner together held the sculpture, which responded to their questions either yes or no. Still, through an extended dialogue with the figure, the diviner could solve complex familiy histories and interpersonal conflicts that may shed light on the cause of misfortune.

Comparing literature

LaGamma, Alisa, Art and Oracle, New York 2000, p. 31, ill. 45