Product Description
Songye Fetish Figure -Congo
The male fetish figure originates from the Songye, in the southern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They were believed to ward off evil, to preserve the tribe or the family from hostile powers, sorcerers or evil spirits, and to aid fertility. Large ones were owned by and served the community; small ones were for individual families. Adorned with additional objects, Bajimba, with magical properties (horns, skins, teeth, hair, feathers, beads, tacks, cloth, etc.), they gained their power not from the carver but from the Nganga, or spiritual leader. Their carving was considered secondary to their power. Often too powerful to touch, they were moved with long sticks. Although protective, these are confrontational objects, with a warrior’s attitude.
Made of 100% wood.
Model is W 55 – H 15 and weight 1.2 kg.
Description
The male fetish figure originates from the Songye, in the southern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They were believed to ward off evil, to preserve the tribe or the family from hostile powers, sorcerers or evil spirits, and to aid fertility. Large ones were owned by and served the community; small ones were for individual families. Adorned with additional objects, Bajimba, with magical properties (horns, skins, teeth, hair, feathers, beads, tacks, cloth, etc.), they gained their power not from the carver but from the Nganga, or spiritual leader. Their carving was considered secondary to their power. Often too powerful to touch, they were moved with long sticks. Although protective, these are confrontational objects, with a warrior’s attitude.
During the 16th century, the Songye migrated from the Shaba area, which is now the southern part of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Their history is closely linked to the Luba’s, to whom the Songye are related through common ancestors. Having waged war against one another for a long time, the Songye and Luba later formed an alliance to fight the Arabs. They settled on the left bank of the Lualaba River, on a savanna and forest-covered plateau. Divided into many subgroups, the 150,000 Songye people are governed by a central chief assisted by innumerable secret societies.
Additional information
Weight | 1.2 kg |
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Dimensions | 15 × 55 cm |
Color | |
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