Figure d'ancêtre masculin debout "nkiteki" ·  R. D. Congo, Bembe · ID: 3048947

Description

wood, black paint, white porcelain, base

The Bembe make use of two main types of figures: power figures used by diviners to cure ailments and ancestral figures, used to represent and honour deceased community leaders.

The Bembe believe that small wooden anthropomorphic figures are a representation of themselves and anyone with the financial means (usually chiefs and successful hunters) can commission the carving of a figure. The carved figure is generally called “nkumba” by the Bembe.

Upon the death of a figure’s owner, pieces of the individual’s corpse are mixed with medicines and magic substances (“bilongo”). This mixture is then inserted into a small carved hole near the rectum of the figure. By inserting the mixture and sealing the hole with a wooden plug and/or cloth wrapping, the “nkumba” figure receives the spirit of the ancestor and is thus transformed into a “nkiteki” ancestor figure (pl. “biteki”, in some sources also called “mukuya”).

The present figure holds a bell in each hand and is thus the embodiment of an important magic priest or diviner “nganga”. For the “nganga” used wooden bells to attract the attention of supernatural forces or spirits during divination rituals.

L’objet Figure d’ancêtre masculin debout “nkiteki” avec l’ID d’objet 3048947 a fait partie de la dernière vente aux enchères 98e vente aux enchères dans 26 mars 2022 le Zemanek-Münster Hôtel des ventes. L’objet portant le numéro de lot 254 a atteint un prix de vente de 3 500 €.

Vous trouverez d’autres Figures et autres types d’objets populaires sur nos pages thématiques associées. Notre page sur le thème Art africain pourrait également vous intéresser.

Littérature comparée

Fagaly, William, Ancestors of Congo Square, New Orleans 2011, p. 280, 147

Publications

AHDRC: 0012802