MC1606 Beautiful statuette 3 heads Lega Three-headed Figure Congo African Art
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For English, please have a look below
CONGO DRC
Rare LEGA three-headed statuette
Lega miniatures with multiple heads are called Sakimatwematwe
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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)
The statuettes used in the Bwami cult are generically called Iginga
Collective, sacred properties, they are kept secret, generally in closed wicker baskets. Their use is reserved with exceptions, for passages to the upper (Yananio) and supreme (Kindi) levels.
The statue is inseparable from the aphorism associated with it
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)
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:
TYPE OF OBJECT: Statue, statuette, figurine
.ETHNIC GROUP: Lega- Warega.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Democratic Republic of Congo
(ex Belgian Congo, ex Zaire).
Provinces: South Kivu and Maniema.
MATERIAL: Wood
DIMENSIONS: Height: 21 cm.
CONDITION: Average
See photos.
ALLEGED AGE: around 1940
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ALLEGED AGE: around 1940
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Bibliography - Art Lega - Bibliography:
- Lega. Ethics and Beauty in the heart of Africa. Daniel P. Biebuyck. 2002 . KBC.
- Lega jewels from the Benoît Rousseau collection. Viviane Baeke, RMCA and Benoît Rousseau. 2013. BRUNEAF.
- Lega jewels from the Benoît Rousseau collection. Viviane Baeke, RMCA and Benoît Rousseau. 2013. BRUNEAF.
- In search of the meaning of Bwami, through a collection unlike any other. Viviane Baeke. Undated. Royal Museum for Central Africa.
- The sculpture of the Lega. Daniel P. Biebuyck. 1994. Galerie Hélène and Philippe Leloup-Paris-New-York.
- The arts of Zaire, Vol II Eastern Zaire. Daniel P. Biebuyck, 1986, University of California Press.
- The Art of the Central African Lega, Elizabeth L. Cameron. 2013, Quai Branly Museum.
- Lega Culture. Art, Initiation and Moral Philosophy Among a Central African People. Daniel P. Biebuyck. 1973. University of California Press.
- The Lega and their art. In the footsteps of a dreamer lost in Congoland Emile-Alexandre Georges. 2005. Royal Museum for Central Africa.
- The Lega and their art. In the footsteps of a dreamer lost in Congoland Emile-Alexandre Georges. 2005. Royal Museum for Central Africa.
- The Lega Art - Greatness and Humility. In the Vallois collection, Valentine Plisnier and Michel Boulanger, 2016
- Sculptures do not speak. The Balega made them speak, Daniel P. Biebuyck Notebooks of Oral Literature 67-68: 69-81, 2010
CONGO DRC
LEGA three-headed Figure
Lega figures with multiple heads are Sakimatwematwe
---------------
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)
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:
ETHNICAL GROUP: Lega – Balega - Warega.
ORIGIN: Democratic Republic of Congo.
(ex Belgian Congo, ex Zaire).
South Kivu and Maniema provinces
MATERIAL: Wood
DIMENSIONS: About 8 1/4 inches high (21 cm)
CONDITION: Medium
Please have a look on the pictures.
ESTIMATED AGE: circa 1940
Please have a look on the pictures.
ESTIMATED AGE: circa 1940