Bâton d'officier "kibango"
R. D. Congo, Luba
n'est plus disponible
Provenance
Jan Lundberg, Malmö, SwedenPierre Dartevelle, Brussels, Belgium
Taille
H: 96 cm
H: 37.8 inch
Description
wood, metal, pigments, base
Staffs of office, “kibango”, are prestigious objects of great power that belong to the royal insignia.
Shapes, figural accessories and carved patterns provide information about the history of the respective owner and the lineage, which is why each “kibango” is unique. In a way, the staffs are carved narratives that can be read like texts and serve as a memory aid for their owner. However, only the owner himself or the magic priest who once consecrated the staff is able to do this.
Additionally charged with medicines and metals by ritual specialists, the powerful staffs are also said to have healing and protective powers.