MC1295 Superbe Kabeja HEMBA Sculpture Janiforme Janus figure

Les Hemba avaient de très  talentueux sculpteurs et l'art de la tribu est essentiellement connu pour les effigies d'ancêtres, les Singiti,  figures de pouvoir qui dégagent une sérénité et une autorité naturelle étonnantes
 
Selon François Neyt dans "La grande statuaire Hemba", les Kabeja sont des sculptures Janiformes qui représentent le couple d'ancêtres fondateurs de chaque clan, la statue était unique et appartenait au chef, tandis que chaque groupe avait plusieurs Singiti. Elle jouait un rôle dans toutes les cérémonies, ainsi que lors des décisions de justice

D'après Jean-Baptiste Bacquard, les Kabeja représenteraient des esprits
qui protégeraient  le clan. La cavité au sommet du crâne contenait des substances magiques 

CONGO DRC

KABEJA HEMBA
Superb statue with a beautiful crusty patina

 

 

The Hemba had very talented sculptors and the art of the tribe is mainly known for the ancestors figures, the Singiti, symbols of power who exude astonishing serenity and natural authority
 According François Neyt in "la grande statuaire Hemba", the Kabeja is a rare Janiform sculpture which represents the couple of founding ancestors of each clan. The statue was unique and owned by the chief, while each group had several Singiti figures. It was used in all Hemba ceremonies, as well as in court decisions

Jean-Baptiste Bacquard suggests that the Kabeja would represent spirits. And protects the clan. The cavity at the top of the head contained magic substances

The Hemba live in eastern Congo DRC, between the Lualaba river (Congo river), to the west, and Lake Tanganyka, to the east
Their territory is articulated around the Luika river which delimits the Hemba of the north and those of the south. They are therefore present in the south of the province of Maniema as well as in the north of the province of Tanganyka.
They are geographically and culturally close to the Lubaa