Figure "okifa"
R. D. Congo, Mbole
n'est plus disponible
Provenance
Ludwig Bretschneider, Munich, GermanyLempertz, Cologne, 26 April 2003, lot 166
German Private Collection, Munich
Taille
H: 29 cm
H: 11.4 inch
Description
wood, dark brown patina, remains of pigments, hips, neck and headgear pierced, min. dam., slight traces of abrasion, base.
Death by hanging plays an important role in Mbole society. This penalty is applied to adulterers, evil sorcerers and members of the “lilwa” society who have betrayed the society’s secrets. These “okifa” (= “hanged”) called figures cannot be regarded as individual portraits. However, the motif of hanging is clearly shown. They were presented to the people who were going to be initiated in order to caution them and thus served as an emphatic warning against offences and betrayal of secrets.
Publications
AHDRC: 0122286