Kebe Kebe Puppet – Wood – Kuyu – DR Congo

Striking Kuyu puppet from DR Congo.
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. The face bears tribal markings; the hairdo is very detailed. The down part is carved in the forms of a hornbill bird.

Provenance: Manfred Schäfer, former gallery owner from Ulm, Germany. Including custom made stand.