Figure masculine debout ·  Gabon, Tsogho · ID: 3041752

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Description

wood, matt patina, polychrome paint, tribe-typical facial features, mirror glass eyes with painted pupils, carved armrings, rest. (genital), small missing parts, slight traces of abrasion, base;
sculpture of the Tsogho is invariably associated with initiation societies, at which the “bwiti” society has top priority. The “bwiti” cult is spread all over the whole of Central Gabon. “Bwiti” has no initiation rites in classical meaning, but an initiation through taking “iboga”, a hallucinogenic plant. The statuettes were kept in the mens house, together with all the other objects which were needed for the “bwiti” cult. At funeral rites or rites held in favour of a good harvest the statues were displayed inside the mens house.

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Publications

Schädler, Karl-Ferdinand, Afrikanische Kunst in Deutschen Privatsammlungen, München 1973, p. 321

AHDRC: 0050028

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