Ambete reliquary figure, Mbete, DRC - Lot 59

Ambete reliquary figure, Mbete, DRC Ancestor worship in Mbede, Mbete or Ambete African art Ancestor worship among the Mbete people is accompanied by sculpted figures whose dorsal cavity often acts as a reliquary. This example, however, is devoid of such a cavity. The flat face presents a characteristic physiognomy. The headdress is organized in braids gathered into a crest. The arms are bent at right angles to the swollen bust. The bending of the muscular legs announces a ritual dance. Crusty patina, erosions and abrasions 81 x 23 cm The Mbete are a tribe from Gabon, on the border with Moyen-Congo, neighboring the Obamba, whose history has been marked by a long-running conflict with the Teke. They have no centralized political organization, practice ancestor worship and use statues instead of traditional reliquary boxes.