The Mahongwe are a branch of the Kota peoples of Gabon. Their figures can be identified by the truncated almond-shaped face and metal that encompass the face. This attractive figure features two faces with metal rings on the backside of the “heads”. The piece measures 23 inches tall on its custom base and weighs 3.5 pounds. This piece has some minor imperfections but is in decent condition – please view photos.
Mahongwe Janus Reliquary African Figure 23″ w/ Base – Gabon
$125.00
Sold
| Type of Object | Figure, statue |
|---|---|
| Country of Origin | Gabon |
| Ethnicity | Mahongwe |
| Material | metal rings, sheet metal, pigment & wood |
| Approximate Age | Unknown |
| Height (Inches) | 22" & 23" w/ base |
| Width (Inches) | 2.5" & 6" w/ base |
| Depth (Inches) | 11.5" |
| Weight (Pounds) | 3.5 lbs |
| Overall Condition | Good with minor imperfections. |
Tribe Information
About the Kota People
“Living on the eastern side of Gabon, on the frontier with the Republic of Congo, the Kota people comprise a number of small tribes such as the Mahongwe, the Sango, the Obamba and the Shamaye, who all practice similar ceremonies. It is though they migrated southwards during the 18th century and settled in the upper valley of the Ogooué River, in a forest environment. Their main resources come mostly from hunting and agriculture.
Historically, the Kota left their dead unburied in the forest, far from the village. Under the influence of neighboring tribes, they began to bury their dead. Chiefs were always buried, but often their bones (especially their skull) were later exhumed and placed with magical objects (shells, seeds, fruits) in a bark box or a basket called a Bwete, in which a carved figure was inserted.
These reliquary baskets were kept for generations, but during the 20th century, when religious beliefs changed, they were abandoned or even destroyed. Between 1940 and 1964, a movement referred to as the ‘culte des demoiselles’ was responsible for the destruction of most of these traditional objects. This movement was based on the idea that mimicking Western values and lifestyles, as well as abandoning the old cults and idols, would help them to gain what they perceived as western power.”
Source:
Baquart, Jean-Baptiste. The Tribal Arts of Africa. New York: Thames and Hudson Inc. 1998. Print.