Téké fetish scepter, DRC - Lot 177

Téké fetish scepter, DRC This fetish with a dorsal orifice from which long nails protrude has a handle carved with a head, and a second, smaller head at the lower end. Dark satin patina 44 x 9 cm Base Established between the Republic of Congo, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Gabon, the Téké were organized into chiefdoms, whose chiefs were often chosen from among the blacksmiths. The head of the family, mfumu , had the right of life or death over his family, whose importance determined his prestige. The head of the clan, ngantsié , kept the great protective fetish tar mantsié , who supervised all ceremonies. It was the powerful sorcerer, healer and diviner who, in return for payment, "charged" the individual statuettes, "mussassi", with magical elements. It was also on his instructions that ancestors and nature genies were worshipped. Their secret society, kidumu , used flat circular masks decorated with polychrome geometric motifs.