Democratic Republic of the Congo Bembe Peoples Male Fetish or Power Figure ‘Bilongo’

A Central African Democratic Republic of the Congo Bembe Peoples Male Fetish or Power Figure ‘Bilongo’
The eyes inlaid with shell a bundle of ritual substances to his scarified abdomen standing holding a rifle in one hand the other touching his beard
Small chips to the base and hair
Old smooth silky patina
19th Century
SIZE: 16.5cm high – 6½ ins high
In addition to producing representations of ancestors the Bembe make use of small sculptures for a form of coercive medicine. The ‘nganga’ or healing priest gives the chosen sculpture its supernatural power by inserting the ‘bilongo’, the bundle of ritual substance, into an aperture on the figure. Simultaneously, the patient expects to be relieved of the negative influences with which he has been beset.

Democratic Republic of the Congo Bembe Peoples Male Fetish or Power Figure ‘Bilongo’

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ENQUIRIES

+44 (0)7768 236921
+44 (0)7836 684133

enquiries@finch-and-co.co.uk