SOLD! MC1938 Superb Janus Statuette Lega Two-headed Figure Congo African Art
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CONGO DRC
Rare Janiform LEGA statuette
Very nice two-headed Lega sculpture
Very nice two-headed Lega sculpture
Lega figurines with multiple heads are Sakimatwematwe
Daniel Biebuyck names the two-headed ones Same as in Ethics and Beauty (page 168) and Samatwemabili, in "Arts of Zaire" (ill pl44 descr p86)
Valentine Plisnier uses the term Sabitwebitwe in "Art Lega Grandeur et Humilité" page 320
They symbolize the wisdom and impartiality of the kindi (Biebuycck, Lega culture fig 86)
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The Bwami is a hierarchical association by ranks which organizes the social structure and ensures the stability of the Lega community.
Each level passage gives rise to initiation rites where one speaks, sings, dances, mimes and exposes. A multitude of aphorisms are used during the stories and songs
" The aim is to formulate and interpret in multiple symbolic ways the principles, moral and philosophical values and rules of the bwami, to each and to instill them, and to grant the initiates the paraphernalia relevant to their level of rank as well as their symbolic references, and to transmit the power, prestige and privileges that result from it " (Biebuyk, Sculptures don't speak 2010)
The statuettes used in the context of the Bwami cult are generically called Iginga
Collective, sacred properties, they are kept secret, generally in closed wicker baskets. Their use is reserved, with some exceptions, for passages to the upper (Yananio) and supreme (Kindi) levels.
The statue is inseparable from the aphorism associated with it.
The statue is inseparable from the aphorism associated with it.
The Bwami is a hierarchical association by ranks which organizes the social structure and ensures the stability of the Lega community.
Each level passage gives rise to initiation rites where one speaks, sings, dances, mimes and exposes. A multitude of aphorisms are used during the stories and songs
" The aim is to formulate and interpret in multiple symbolic ways the principles, moral and philosophical values and rules of the bwami, to each and to instill them, and to grant the initiates the paraphernalia relevant to their level of rank as well as their symbolic references, and to transmit the power, prestige and privileges that result from it " (Biebuyk, Sculptures don't speak 2010)
The Lega are a Bantu forest people of Central Africa, established in the eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in the provinces of South Kivu and Maniema.
Features:
TYPE OF OBJECT: Statue, statuette, figurine
.ETHNIC GROUP: Lega-Warega.
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Democratic Republic of Congo
(ex Belgian Congo, ex Zaire).
Provinces: South Kivu and Maniema.
MATERIAL: Wood
DIMENSIONS: Height: 16 cm.
CONDITION: Average
See photos.
ESTIMATED AGE: around 1940
ESTIMATED AGE: around 1940
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Bibliography - Art Lega - Bibliography:
- Lega. Ethics and Beauty in the Heart of Africa. Daniel P. Biebuyck. 2002. KBC.
- Lega Jewels from the Benoît Rousseau Collection. Viviane Baeke, MRAC and Benoît Rousseau. 2013. BRUNEAF.
- Lega Jewels from the Benoît Rousseau Collection. Viviane Baeke, MRAC and Benoît Rousseau. 2013. BRUNEAF.
- In search of the meaning of Bwami, through a collection like no other. Viviane Baeke. Undated. Royal Museum for Central Africa.
- The sculpture of the Lega. Daniel P. Biebuyck. 1994. Galerie Hélène and Philippe Leloup- Paris-New-York.
- The arts of Zaire, Vol II Eastern Zaire. Daniel P. Biebuyck, 1986, University of California Press.
- The Art of the Lega of Central Africa, Elizabeth L. Cameron. 2013, Musée du quai Branly.
- Lega Culture. Art, Initiation and Moral Philosophy Among a Central African People. Daniel P. Biebuyck. 1973. University of California Press.
- The Lega and their art. In the footsteps of a dreamer lost in Congoland Emile-Alexandre Georges. 2005. Royal Museum for Central Africa.
- The Lega and their art. In the footsteps of a dreamer lost in Congoland Emile-Alexandre Georges. 2005. Royal Museum for Central Africa.
- L'Art Lega - Grandeur and Humility. In the Vallois collection, Valentine Plisnier and Michel Boulanger, 2016
- Sculptures do not speak. The Balega made them speak, Daniel P. Biebuyck Cahiers de literature oral 67-68: 69-81, 2010
CONGO DRC
LEGA Janus Figure
Very nice two-headed Lega sculpture
Lega figures with multiple heads are Sakimatwematwe
Daniel Biebuyck names those with two heads Sameisomabili in Ethics and Beauty (page 168) and Samatwemabili, in "Arts of Zaire" (ill pl44 descr p86)
Valentine Plisnier uses the term Sabitwebitwe in "Art Lega Grandeur et Humilité" page 320
They symbolize the wisdom and impartiality of the kindi (Biebuycck, Lega culture fig 86)
---------------
The figures used in the cult of the Bwami are generically called Iginga
Collective, sacred properties, they are kept in secret, generally in closed wicker baskets. Their use is reserved at passages to the upper (Yananio) and supreme (Kindi) levels
The figure is inseparable from the aphorism associated with it
The Bwami is a hierarchical association by ranks which organizes the social structure and ensures the stability of the Lega community
Each change of level is accompanied with initiation rites where people talk, sing, dance, mime and exhibit. A multitude of aphorisms are used in stories and songs
The aim is to formulate and to interpret in multiple symbolic ways principles, moral and philosophical values and rules of bwami, to each and inculcate them, and to bestow upon the initiates the paraphernalia relevant to their grade level together with their symbolic references, and to convey the resulting power, prestige and privileges. (Biebuyk, Sculptures don’t speak 2010)
Collective, sacred properties, they are kept in secret, generally in closed wicker baskets. Their use is reserved at passages to the upper (Yananio) and supreme (Kindi) levels
The figure is inseparable from the aphorism associated with it
The Bwami is a hierarchical association by ranks which organizes the social structure and ensures the stability of the Lega community
Each change of level is accompanied with initiation rites where people talk, sing, dance, mime and exhibit. A multitude of aphorisms are used in stories and songs
The aim is to formulate and to interpret in multiple symbolic ways principles, moral and philosophical values and rules of bwami, to each and inculcate them, and to bestow upon the initiates the paraphernalia relevant to their grade level together with their symbolic references, and to convey the resulting power, prestige and privileges. (Biebuyk, Sculptures don’t speak 2010)
The Lega are a Bantu forest people of Central Africa, established in the east of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), in the provinces of South Kivu and Maniema.
Features:
ETHNICAL GROUP: Lega – Balega – Warega.
ORIGIN: Democratic Republic of Congo.
(formerly Belgian Congo, formerly Zaire).
South Kivu and Maniema provinces
MATERIAL: Wood
DIMENSIONS: About 6 1/4 inches high (16 cm)
CONDITION: Medium
Please have a look on the pictures.
ESTIMATED AGE: circa 1940
Please have a look on the pictures.
ESTIMATED AGE: circa 1940