Cane Or Stick - Democratic Republic Of Congo - First Half Of The 20th Century

CANE or STICK animated with a Beli ANCHOR FIGURE
Mangbetu culture, north-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo
First half of the 20th century 
Wood 
124 x 2 x 1.7 cm
(restoration)

She is standing with her right hand on her abdomen and her left hand on her left buttock. Her body is entirely incised with horizontal lines reminiscent of traditional body paintings. Her oval face is finely sculpted with scarred cheekbones, a mouth with lips that seem to hiss, eyes with closed lids and small C-shaped ears. She wears the traditional hairstyle known as tumburu. 

Miniature representations of a figure from nebeli society are not common. Beli ancestors, who often came in pairs, were associated with fertility and were kept in secret places. 
So this staff must have had a purpose, a symbol and an important owner. 

Bibliography: 
Reproduced in the exhibition catalogue "62 cannes d'Afrique" and presented under no. 26 at the exhibition organised by FCP CORIDON at Le Carré (Marché Serpette) from March to May 2022.

Text and photos © FCP CORIDON

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