Chokwe Mother-and-child figure

Before the advent of modern medicine, women invoked fertility deities for pregnancy, and birth of a healthy infant due to very high rates of infant mortality. These contribute to create most mother-and child images. Her kneeling position is a gesture of respect, devotion and submission to the ancestors, and with her healthy baby lying on her lap sucking her, is symbol as Life Giver and Nursing Mother, encouraging women advised by diviner to seek supernatural help of the ancestors.