This is an old ivory Lega Katanda carving, it originated from the Lega tribe an ethnic group found in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Lega tribe art is created for primarily their semisecret associations of men and women, such as the Bwami society of the Lega peoples.
The Lega believe Katanda or sleeping mats imply laziness and sexual promiscuity and use the figures to teach moral values. The Lega have a metaphor comparing a swarm of red ants to a promiscuous person. The ants can besiege a town much the same way a promiscuous person can spread disorder in a community. The holes represent destruction imparted by ants. Figures with one or both arms raised often point to the sky as a reminder of the problems solved in the past. The following statue has a dark patina, shows signs of wear and tear, and shows signs of age and natural abrasion.
- Material: Ivory
- Age:approx 55-75yrs
- Origin: Democratic Republic Of Congo
- Condition: Good
- SKU: CMI-076
- Weight: 0.1 kg
- Dimensions: 5.2 x 11.5 x 0.3 cm