Hochet rituel initiatique "ntafu mahangu"
R. D. Congo, Sundi
Vendu
2 000 €
Provenance
Philippe Laeremans, Brussels, Belgium (1998)American Private Collection, New York
Taille
H: 35,5 cm
H: 14.0 inch
Description
wood, dark brown patina, remains of kaolin, grass fibres, the actual rattle elements missing, min. dam., insect caused missing parts, fine cracks, slight traces of abrasion, base.
This rattle was an emblem for the initiation camps of young boys called “nkimba”. The back-to-back position stands for duality, refers to this world and the world of the spirits. The rattle was affixed on top of a vessel filled with water symbolizing the passage from the world of the living into the world of the dead.
Littérature comparée
Dulon, Bernard et. al., Oggetti e ritmi, Roma 1980, p. 53, ill. 41Publications
AHDRC: 0021312