Bena Luluwa Mother-and-Child figure

Statues portraying mother carrying a child are frequently to be found among Bena luluwa, linked to fertility cult especially the Bwanga bwa Cibola. This cult is the most popular rite observed by the tribe, for women who wish to mourn the death of a baby or young child, are Invited by the soothsayer to participate in the rite, to make the dead child reincarnate in its mother womb. Consequently many figures show pregnant women or mother and child. Moreover, as a child has to be persuaded not to abandon the family of his ancestors, many of these statues are naturally carved in realistic manner, resembling the ancestor images themselves. In addition, it is believed they protect pregnant woman and ensure successful childbirth, also watch over both mother and child during the weaning period, and guard against children's illness (Cornet 1999:157-8, 280).