This statue was carved in the style of the Hemba people of DRC. The statue depicts a male figure with his hands resting on his belly. The figure measures 19.5 inches tall and weighs 5 pounds. There is wood damage to the base of the piece and wear and tear throughout. Please inspect photos.
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Male Hemba Style Statue 19.5″ – DRC – African Art
Original price was: $140.00.$35.00Current price is: $35.00.
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| Type of Object | Figure |
|---|---|
| Country of Origin | DR Congo |
| Ethnicity | Hemba |
| Material | Wood, Pigment |
| Approximate Age | Unknown |
| Height (Inches) | 19.5" |
| Width (Inches) | 6” |
| Depth (Inches) | 7" |
| Weight (Pounds) | 5 lbs |
| Overall Condition | Wood damage to base. Wear and tear throughout. |
Tribe Information
About the Hemba People
“During the 18th century, the Hemba people, led by their chief Niembo, migrated from the south-west and settled on the right bank of the Lualaba River, in a region of fertile savannah. Today, they number 80,000 and are divided into large clans which, by definition, are families with a common ancestor. The hereditary chief of each clan is called the Fumu Mwalo and is the keeper of the ancestor figures. He renders justice and his status as clan head means that he has a privilege of receiving numerous gifts. The Hemba live mostly from farming manioc, sesame, yams and beans. Secret societies such as Bukazanzi for the men and Bukibilo for the women counterbalance the Fumu Mwalo’s power.
Two types of Hemba mask have been identified so far: the first is the rarest and displays a perfectly symmetrical human face with a small mouth and a linear nose set between two slanted eyes. The second type of mask imitates a monkey face with a large, pierced, crescent-shaped mouth and pointed nose. The function and meaning of these masks remain obscure.”
Source:
Baquart, Jean-Baptiste. The Tribal Arts of Africa. New York: Thames and Hudson Inc. 1998. Print.