Kuyu Staff Head, Democratic Republic of Congo, African Tribal Sculpture

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Seller: joburger63 ✉️ (1,508) 100%, Location: Oakleigh, Victoria, AU, Ships to: WORLDWIDE, Item: 141894285075 Kuyu Staff Head, Democratic Republic of Congo, African Tribal Sculpture.        Item : Kuyu Staff Head Figure. Origin : Democratic Republic of Congo/Zarie Size : 41.5 x 15 cm x 12.5 cm Medium : Timber carving, pigment. Context: Originally carried on a pole during ceremonies.       Shipping   For international shipping, we offer Airmail, Seamail and International Express with tracking. For domestic shipping, we use Ordinary Parcel Post or Express Post with tracking. Purchases will be shipped no later than one business day following receipt of payment. We can provide quotes for insurance, please ask for a quote at time of purchase.     Returns   Origin African sells hand made arts & crafts and tribal objects the latter of which have been used, in some cases, for many, many years. We ask that you carefully study the photographs relating to each object prior to committing to purchase. In the event that you are unhappy with your purchase for any reason, we accept refunds within seven days of purchase. We offer a full refund or a credit note valid for twelve months, which ever you prefer. Return postage is paid by the purchaser in all cases.   Guarantee   All objects offered for sale by Origin African originate from Africa. We do not purchase nor support copies made in China.     About Origin African   Origin African was established in 1994 and has been trading on Ebay since 2007. We are constantly on the look out for interesting objects to add to our collection. In the case of our African arts & crafts collection, we purchase using the principles of Fair Trade. We believe that Africa needs a hand up, not a hand out. We believe the role that trade plays in that process to be self evident. We do not deal in any CITES listed animal product. Our tribal collection is sourced from tribal dealers,auction houses and private collections the world over. Where possible, we will specify the provenance of important individual tribal objects.   Feedback   The success of Origin African depends on positive feedback. If you are happy with your purchase, please leave positive feedback and we will do the same for you. If you are not happy, please contact us first before leaving negative feedback and we will do all within our power to rectify the problem

Please note that unless specified otherwise, no object in the African Origins store comes with a display stand included. Display stands visible in images that accompany listings are used for photographic purposed only and are not included in the sale.

This ethnic group is to be found on the banks of the Kuyu River in the northwest of the People's Republic of the Congo. In earlier days, the Kuyu were divided into two totemic clans: in the west, the panther clan, and in the east, the serpent clan. A secret male society, ottote, played an important political role in the nomination of chiefs. The initiation of young people would end with the display of the serpent-god, Ebongo, represented in the form of a head. The dances that accompanied the ceremony represented the successive stages of creation. The panther clan had a drum as its emblem; the serpent clan used sculpted heads painted in vivid colors, perched atop sticks that the handler, hidden under a long gown, held above his head. After the serpent had been displayed, sculpted figures that represented the primordial couple would appear: joku, the father, and Ebotita, the mother.

Stylistically similar, both heads and complete figures feature bouquets of feathers on top of the heads-or they feature a large sculpted lizard whose tail hangs down the back of the head. Others have a quality imitating snakeskin. Also found are hairdos that divide into two loops on either side of a parted center, a style women wore in earlier times-probably an allusion to a female ancestor. White, the color of death, the face has colored scarifications or geometric motifs such as small dots or incised lines on the forehead, checks, and temples. The eyes are narrow, the ears small. The open mouth allows the fine, sharp teeth to be visible. The massive bodies of the figures are also scarified; arms may either be attached to or separated from the body, the feet are barely indicated.

 

Today, the creation myth seems to have been forgotten, but the hibe-hibe dances continue. Imported colors are more violent than native ones, and the style has rapidly degenerated, but the spinning of the dancers imitating the serpent still remains most impressive.

 

K. Nicklin, "Kuyu Sculpture at the Powell-Cotton Museum," in African Arts, XVII, 1, 1983. J.-L. Paudrat, in M. Huet, The Dance, Art, and Ritual of Africa (New York: Pantheon, 1978).

 

Upper Sangha, Ubangi, Ucle (Central African Republic, Zaire)

  • Originating Region: Democratic Republic of Congo
  • Product Type: African Sculpture
  • Material: Carved Timber
  • Tribe: Kuyu

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