This powerfully-carved piece is a
bishimba figure made by the Songye
people of what was once Zaire. It
portrays a powerfully-set man with a
wide face (narrowing to a square
jaw/beard), an angular body, short legs,
long arms and a protuberant stomach
which supports his hands. The eyes are
unusually large coffee-bean format, with
a triangular nose that abuts the
rectangular mouth. Detailing is
otherwise minimal, with the hands,
fingers and genitalia being very roughly
indicated. The entire piece has an
impressive handling patina indicative of
age and use.
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 piece is a striking and unusual
work of African art.
