This darkly-patinated sculpture of a standing
man is a bishimba figure made by the Songye
people of what was once Zaire. It is stylistically
unusual, with a very dark colour, unusual
treatment of the facial features, the geometric
reductivism of the body and the adornment with
a textile “skirt” and a pendant on a raffia cord.
It is a tall and well-proportioned example with a
large abdomen, angularity of limbs and breasts
and considerable evidence for age in terms of
arrested insect damage and erosion. The colour
of the wood suggests that it also received
libations.
The Songye people are based in the Democratic
Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire). They were
founded in the 16th century following an exodus
from the neighbouring Shaba area, settling near
to the Lualuba River. There are around 150,000
Songye divided into subgroupings that are under
the governorship of a central chief known as the
Yakitenge. More local governance is in the hands
of chiefs known as Sultani Ya Muti. Their
economy is based upon agriculture and
pastoralism.
The Songye are perhaps best known for their
artworks, which are both institutional and
domestic/personal in nature. Their best-known
artefacts are kifwebe masks created for members
of the Bwadi Bwa. The word kifwebe means
“mask” in Songye, and describes long-faced
creations decorated with curvilinear designs.
Crested examples are male, while plain-topped
ones are female; the masquerade dancers
wearing each of these masks interact during
masquerades to demonstrate the contrasting
virtues of power (male) and familial values
(female).
The most impressive figural works are wooden
sculptures that are sometimes decorated with
feathers and other organic materials, and which
are known as Bishimba. Their magical powers are
contained within the horn inserted into the top of
the head, which may contain objects such as
organic residues, grave earth and biological
objects such as feathers or claws. The navel may
also be used to situate a bilongo (packet of
magical materials), similar to the Kongo tradition.
The figures are often adorned with gifts in the
form of furs, bells and other objects that are
used to dress the figure; they also tend to receive
libations, physical manifestations of appeals
made for spiritual assistance.
This is an interesting and striking piece of
African art.
