Kongo maternity figure Yombe Pfemba, DRC - Lot 132

Kongo maternity figure Yombe Pfemba, DRC Kongo figurative tribal sculpture, this female effigy embodies the clan ancestor, a mediating figure, as evidenced by the scarification marks on the bust. The child at the breast embodies the matrilineal transmission of power. The Yombe adorned their textiles, mats and loincloths, with lozenges in connection with proverbs glorifying work and social unity. The mouth reveals traditionally filed teeth, while the eyes seem to be exorbitant, underlining the grandmother's ability to discern the occult. Little is known about the use of this type of sculpture. Black patina, few cracks 42 x 12 cm A clan of the Kongo group, the Yombe live on the west coast of Africa, in the southwest of the Republic of Congo and in Angola. Their statuary includes remarkable maternity figures. Little is known about the use of this type of sculpture. Among the Kongo, the nganga performed rituals by activating a spiritual force with a nkondi (pl. nkissi). The term nkisi was later used to designate the notions of "sacred" or "divine". The most influential category of "minkisi kongo" were instruments designed to help regional chiefs enforce the law. A metal object was nailed to a wooden figure as soon as a decision was taken, each nail evoking a particular case: disputing parties, divorce, conflicts between communities... The nkondi thus wanted to ensure that the agreement intended to settle the conflict was applied, and that individuals feared the consequences of their behavior. His appearance personified the force at work. From the second half of the 20th century, minkisi minkondi were strategically placed along the coast of the Loango kingdom to protect against European incursions. Among the most powerful, the Mangaaka was considered the "king" and "master", supreme arbiter of conflicts and protector of communities, and became the most ambitious and monumental sculptural genre. Source: "le geste Kongo" Ed. Musée Dapper and "Trésors d'Afrique" Musée de Tervuren; "L'Ame de l'Afrique" s.Diakonoff.