MC1185 Statue Lega Bwami Cult Figure Congo DRC
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$438.00
Statuette LEGA
Ngeze
A piece with similar architecture is well known, photographed in situ and published in LEGA CULTURE, 1973, plates 27 and 30
After the following route: - Khepri Gallery (Amsterdam), Irwin and Marcia Hersay, (New York), we find it at Sotheby's, (New York, Tribal Art 20/05/87 Lot 160), it is finally published in Ethics et Beauté, Biebuyck, 2002 page 127 with the following notice:
Represents Ngeze.
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Another similar statuette is kept at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington.
under inventory number Object number 73-7-325
The statuettes used in the Bwami cult are generically called Iginga
The statue is inseparable from the aphorism associated with it
The Bwami is an association hierarchized by grades which organizes the social structure and ensures the stability of the Lega community.
Each level passage gives rise to initiation rites where one speaks, sings, dances, mimes and exhibits. A multitude of aphorisms are used during the stories and songs
"The objective is to formulate and interpret in multiple symbolic ways the principles, moral and philosophical values and rules of the bwami, to each and to inculcate them, and to grant initiates the paraphernalia relevant to their level of rank as well as their symbolic references, and to transmit the resulting power, prestige and privileges " (Biebuyk, Sculptures don not speak 2010)
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- Lega jewels from the Benoît Rousseau collection. Viviane Baeke, RMCA and Benoît Rousseau. 2013. BRUNEAF.
- The Lega and their art. In the footsteps of a dreamer lost in Congoland Emile-Alexandre Georges. 2005. Royal Museum for Central Africa.
CONGO DRC
LEGA Figure
Ngeze
Very dynamic sculpture, beautiful stylization
A piece with a similar architecture is well known, photographed in situ and published in LEGA CULTURE, 1973, plates 27 and 30
Its route thereafter: Galerie Khepri (Amsterdam), Irwin and Marcia Hersay, (New York), and Sotheby's, (New York, Tribal Art 20/05/87 Lot160)
it is finally published in Ethics and Beauty, Biebuyck, 2002 page 127
with the following note:
Represent Ngeze.
"I will go and ask for food at Ngeze (small rodent), (but) I will not eat any ripe bananas (because Ngeze will have eaten everything)"
Ngeze personifies an individual who wants to achieve a higher initiation but fails in his preparations. He's a salugi, a sloth. He must first cultivate fields and organize large-scale hunts in order to obtain enough food for all the guests before to think about the initiation.
---------------
Another similar statuette is kept at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington
under the inventory number 73-7-325
---------------
The figures used in the cult of the Bwami are generically called Iginga
Collective, sacred properties, they are kept in secret, generally in closed wicker baskets. Their use is reserved at passages to the upper (Yananio) and supreme (Kindi) levels
The figure is inseparable from the aphorism associated with it
The Bwami is a hierarchical association by ranks which organizes the social structure and ensures the stability of the Lega community
Each change of level is accompanied with initiation rites where people talk, sing, dance, mime and exhibit. A multitude of aphorisms are used in stories and songs
The aim is to formulate and to interpret in multiple symbolic ways principles, moral and philosophical values and rules of bwami, to each and inculcate them, and to bestow upon the initiates the paraphernalia pertinent to their grade level together with their symbolic references, and to convey the resulting power, prestige and privileges. (Biebuyk, Sculptures don't speak 2010)
The Lega are a Bantu forest people of Central Africa, established in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in the provinces of South Kivu and Maniema.
Features:
Please have a look on the pictures.