Ethnic Group: Teke

Country of Origin: Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Materials: Wood, stain and pigments.

Approximate Age: 20th century
Dimensions: Height is 25 inches
Overall Condition: Used. Good

Damage, Repair: None

Additional Information: This large figure is identified with the Teke people who are today located in the Kwango River basin but are also found in a swath across the three countries of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the People’s Republic of the Congo and into Gabon. Their artistic activities are dedicated primarily to the carving of figures intended to have magical substances, known as "Bonga," attached to them. Often referred to as "Power Figure" in the West, these powerful figures have different titles according to their purpose and who owns them. For example, figures known as "Matomba" prevent and cure illnesses and other figures identified as "nkira ntswo" represent ancestors and were used during a ritual to propitiate nature spirits. Figures are not considered complete or powerful until given energy through the application of the magical substances into the stomach cavity, or placed as a ball around the figure. Teke figures are magically "switched on" by the "ngaa," the local ritual specialist, after which they will be addressed and given offerings that through time add to the power that the figure contains. The facial scarification of vertical lines known as "mabina" are used by a number of the smaller subgroups such as the Mfinu or the Yanzi who share similar sculptural styles with the Teke. This large figure male figure does not have the magical material attached to it’s body, however it has been covered with red powder that also has magical attributes. This is a solid example of carving from this area where art serves magic and religion to give spirit shape and belief form.

Recommended Reading: C. Clarke, D. Binkley, B. Freyer and D. Newton. ‘A Personal Journey Central African Art From the Lawrence Gussman Collection’. 2001