Anthropomorphic figure kneeling on a gourd with stopper and hollow reed straw, Luba peoples, Gabon/Democratic Republic of the Congo, circa late 19th to early 20th century, carved wood with mud and copper wire at points of attachment (figure to gourd, stopper to gourd, and hollow reed to figure's coiffure).
This is an initiation gourd with a figure attached to a gourd or calabash that served as an important divination implement and may represent the Bugobo society. This society was considered a reliable source of medical knowledge for the Luba people, and the calabashes were filled with medicines and used in the society's healing activities.
Carved figure sitting on its knees atop a gourd/calabash base. Items would be placed & stored inside the gourd, and the power of the figure would then gradually increase over time. The figure strikes a traditional pose of hands on breasts. The torso features distinctive scarification patterns. A hollow reed emerges out of a tall coiffure, which may descend into the gourd. The reed may serve as a straw with which to drink from the gourd. The stopper also has a hole in it.
In this piece, the gourd is cracked. and the stopper has come unattached. At the stopper in the center of the gourd, at the figure's knees, and at the hollow reed coming out of the figure's coiffure, there is copper-colored metal wire and mud.
- Inventory Number: 2021.60
- Collections: Sacred World Art Collection