This powerful sculpture of a
standing man was made by the
Songye people. 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.
- (IL.122)
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