Hemba Standing Male Ancestor Singiti Congo African Art

Hemba Standing Male Ancestor Singiti Congo African Art (image 3/[null, null, null])

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Title Hemba Standing Male Ancestor Singiti Congo African Art Type of Object Carving, sculpture, statue, figure Country of Origin Democractic Republic of Congo People Hemba Materials Wood Approximate Age 20th century Other Dimensions Height: 10.25 InchesWidth: 3.25 InchesOverall Condition Good to Fair. Most ofÂ our pieces have spent decades on at least two continents, and have been treasured by several owners. Â Small splits, scrapes and cracks are a normal part of their patina attesting to their age and extensive use.Â We examine each piece carefully when we receive it and report any damage we find in our listings.Â Please look carefully at the pictures which may also reveal condition and damage. Damage/Repair worn patina, small holes, scuffs, chips, and cracks; see pictures for detail.Additional Information:The Hemba actively memorialized their distinguished ancestors (e.g. chiefs, warriors, and heads of lineages) in sculpted wooden figures (Singiti) that served as vessels for their spirits. This piece is a prime example. Hemba number around 80,000 and live on the right bank of the Lualaba River west of Lake Tanganyika. They have been heavily influenced by their neighbors to the south, the Luba. Elements from the Luba are still present in the socio-political organization of the Hemba. The Hemba are divided into large clans headed by a hereditary leader known as the "Fumu Mwalo," who administers justice and watches over the ancestor figures. It is only in the last quarter century that their art has been identified as distinct from that of the Luba. Thus, many masterpieces in museums and famous collections have had to be reclassified. The most common of the Hemba ancestor figures are called "singiti". These figures can be up to 90cm high, usually male and in standing position with the hands along the navel, elaborate coiffure commonly cruciform, elongated or round face with serene expression. They were kept in special houses or in the house of the clan leader, "Fumu Mwalo". "Fumu Mwalo" would consult these ancestor figures, and also make offerings and sacrifices to them some important decision is to be made or every time the community needs ancestors help. The warm colored patina comes as a result of extended us through offerings and touching. Singiti figures serve as intercessors between the living and the dead and as effigies of ancestor to recognize lineage heads and document title to land. Singiti figures are not strictly considered to be portraits of particular individuals. They depict rank, social status and ethnic identity through stance, hair-style and dress.Recommended Reading: Francois Neyt, LA GRANDE STATUAIRE HEMBA DU ZAIRE, Louvain-La-Neuve, 1977**105495**All content, including pictures, Copyright Africa Direct Inc., 2006Add Us To Your Favorite Sellers!Please visit our About Us page.Africa Direct, Inc. has been selling on eBay since 1997 and has received more than 51,000 positive feedbacks. It is owned by Eliza and Sara, who began the company after spending a year wandering southern Africa in a camper van with their multi-racial family. They have been honored with eBay's Hall of Fame award, and by eBay Giving Works, through which they have raised more than $125,000 in charity auctions.Customer Service : We treasure our many long term customers, and will try to make you one of them! If you have problems, please tell us... we care!Handling Time : We ship daily except Sundays and holidays. Most orders go out the same day, and all go out within 48 hours.Returns : We want you to be happy with your purchase. You're welcome to return an item within 30 days in the same condition you received it--just let us know you're returning it. You may have either a credit or a refund for your purchase price, not including shipping both ways. If your original payment was made through PayPal, we'll refund you through PayPal; if you paid us directly with your credit card, we'll refund the credit card.Combining Shipping : You are welcome to wait to... read more

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