Lot n° 195
Estimation :
120 - 180
EUR
EStatuette Teke Nkumi. DRC - Lot 195
EStatuette Teke Nkumi. DRC
Small statuette depicting a Teke ancestor.
The hollowed-out abdomen has no reliquary to house the mystical "Bonga" charge.
The faces, striated with traditional scarification marks, are surmounted by a large crescent.
20 x 5 cm
Established between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Gabon, the Téké were organized into chiefdoms, whose chiefs were often chosen from among blacksmiths. The head of the familymfumu , had the right of life or death over his family, whose importance determined his prestige. The head of the clan, ngantsié , kept the great fetish protectortar mantsié , who supervised all ceremonies. It was the powerful sorcerer, healer and diviner who "charged" the individual statuettes or nkumi with magical elements, in exchange for payment. According to the Teke, wisdom was absorbed and stored in the abdomen. Ancestors were also worshipped according to the witchdoctor's instructions. Their secret society, kidumu , used flat circular masks decorated with polychrome geometric motifs.
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