Ancestor figure – Wood – Kuyu – Congo

Striking Kuyu ancestor figure.
Kuyu society is spiritually dominated by the rituals and ideology connected to the Ottote secret organization. All the wood art products of the Kuyu were made for the ceremonies of this organization. The figures are said to have been placed on two meter long poles in what seems to have been a marionet performance with dances and songs. The tops of the figures were embellished with tufts of feathers. The purpose of this theatrical festival was to honour the mythical snake called Ebongo, the creator of mankind. The Kebe – Kebe shows a striking realism with open eyes and a mouth with two rows of teeth. The face bears tribal markings; the hairdo is intricate and the colours are bright.

Provenance: Manfred Schäfer collection, ex- gallery owner from Ulm, Germany.