The Lega inhabit the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, between the great lakes and the Lualaba River. These sculptures were individually owned by the highest-ranking society members like chiefs, kings and village heads though they mostly owned ivory statues. This is a multiheaded figure from the Lega people used by teachers as initiation objects in layered metaphors to communicate many different things. The saying most often connected to these figures is ” many heads who have seen an elephant on the other side of the river.” This means that a hunter goes across the river, sees an elephant on the other bank, returns to look for other hunters to help, but when he returns he finds that the others have already killed the elephant.
This saying stresses the ability of the high-level Bwami members to see in many different directions, be wise, intelligent and have the ability to act alone. The following is carved in 100% wood and has a brown patina and shows signs of age and usage.
- Material: Wood with kaolin in the face
- Condition: Good
- Age:approx 55-70yrs
- Origin: Democratic Republic of Congo
- SKU: CSTA-034
- Weight: 0.4 kg
- Dimensions: 7.5 x 24.5 x 7 cm