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Songye Fetish Statue Male Power Figure Antique African Sculpture Democratic Republic of Congo DRC Zaire
A Dramatic OLD Songye Male Power Figure Carved Fetish Statue Antique African Art - Tribal Sculpture - Democratic Republic of Congo Zaire
Collected from the: Songye peoples of the Congo (Zaire) region of Central Africa Material: Carved wood, snake skin, feathers, woven vegetal fiber, animal hide, skin oil Period: Mid 20th century Dimensions: 18" height, 7" width, 8" depth; weight is 6.10 pounds Condition: Excellent. Anatomically correct (we peaked) with considerable signs of age and wear from use, age cracks test stable, wear exposed wood presents significant patination. Right front foot and surrounding base area was lost early on judging by the surface condition and patination of area. Make special note of the snake skin headband anchoring the feather headdress, finely woven bark skirt and animal hide loin cloth. Burnished skin oil patina at shoulders, outer arms, center back and belly indicative of frequent handling; ritual rubbing produced a rich luster which further enhances the personality of this delightful old character !
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Songye Scultpure Carving Traditions and Use: Songye sculpture conforms to certain magico-social standards and is fashioned under the direction of a ritual specialist, the Nganga. For small-scale sculptures, the Nganga solicits the sculpture and imposes criteria on the creation of the work such as dimensions, sex, morphological aspect, and type of wood. Only the Nganga himself or the future user of a work can commission a piece to be made. Sculptors shelter themselves from the scrutiny of other villagers and protect themselves from evil spirits during all parts of the process. The felling of a tree for a large fetish is accompanied by onsite chants, dances and sacrifices. Completed sculptures are sprinkled with the blood of animals sacrificed for that purpose before the work is given over to the Nganga who then empowers the object by adding magical-symbolic ingredients such as metal accessories, claws, raffia cloth, skin, horns, seeds, beads, feathers, and hair according to the prescribed function of the work - be it offensive or defensive. Most Songye sculptures are male figures, statues of females, especially pregnant ones, are extremely rare. Statues of power have many different forms and functions: cult collectives use the large statues; individual cults and private owners may use medium-sized statues; and individuals also use amulets for protection, healing, warding off sorcerers and evil spirits, and assisting in fertility and material prosperity. Statues with brass tacks would have been considered useful against skin irritations and the smallpox epidemics that raged within Songye territory in relatively recent times. The statues are guarded within the owner's houses and are well cared for. Their care may involve ritual rubbings with oils, sometimes mixed with the red tukula powder on the appearance of the new moon to renew the figure's power and maintain harmonious relations with the ancestors. See Maurer's Spirits Embodied: Art of the Congo for a more detailed account of this fascinating form.
History of the Sognye Tribe of Democratic Republic of Congo Zaire "During the 16th century, the Songye migrated from the Shaba area, now the southern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire), and settled on the left bank of the Lualaba River, on a savannah and forest-covered plateau. Divided into numerous sub-groups, the 150,000 Songye people are governed by a central chief, the Yakitenge, whose role demands that he obey special restrictive laws such as not showing grief, not drinking in public, and not shaking hands with men. In addition, local rulers, the Sultani Ya Muti, distribute plots of land to their villagers and an influential secret society, Bwadi Bwa Kifwebe, counterbalances their power. A patriarchal society heavily dependant on agriculture, the Songye are most recognized for their masks, fetishes statues, and weapons. Kifwebes (meaning masks in the Songye tongue) represent magic spirits or supernatural forces and are used by the important Bwadi Bwa Kifwebe Society to protect and heal their tribal members and villages. The Kifwebe spirits were of such great importance to the Songye that the Kifwebe Society used representations of their masks on other objects of power, such as shields adorned with a central mask. Songye masks were primarily used during death or funeral rites, initiation ceremonies, and circumcision rituals, where initiated male dancers performed the ceremonies and rituals. Male masks were danced to display aggressive and uncontrolled behavior with the aim of encouraging social conformity while female masks displayed the more gentle and controlled movements associated with reproduction," according to Bacquart.
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Please contact us immediately if ~ for any reason ~ you are not pleased with your selection. We will gladly refund the purchase price of any item returned in its original condition within 14 days of dated delivery. Our commitment to 5 Star customer service and satisfaction ensures that YOUR satisfaction is Unconditionally Guaranteed ~ NO questions asked!
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We're delighted to combine shipments and reduce your costs, simply email your Zip/Postal Code PRIOR to making payment. All major credit cards and PayPal are gladly accepted. Payment is expected within 7 days of your purchase. In consideration of discounts given, we respectfully request immediate payment on all Best Offers unless arrangements are made prior to acceptance. Please contact us directly if other payment arrangements are necessary - we're always happy to help!
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