Bwami Lega statuette, DRC - Lot 146

Bwami Lega statuette, DRC Carved figure without arms, missing left foot. Shaded brown satin patina. 23 x 7 cm The tribal art of the Lega, Balega or Warega is distinguished by its initiation statuettes, also made of ivory, some of which were kept in a basket for the highest Bwami officials of different communities. This type of Iginga statuette (Maginga in the plural), was the property of the top brass of the Bwami, a secret society admitting men and their wives, and governing social life. This organization was subdivided into initiatory stages, the highest of which was the Kindi. The statuettes were used as the aspirants were initiated. Each is a representation with a particular form and meaning, from which a moral or dogma is always derived. Ref: "Art of the Lega", E.L.Cameron