Sango Reliquary ensemble

This reliquary ensemble is unique for its completeness, the figure element remains integrated with the original basket. This reliquary ensemble is a typical of the art of Sango, and is identified as Mbumba Bwete Ancestor, a symbolic representation of the Lineage's founder who guards over his descendants.The rituals associated with Mbumba included propitiatory offerings intended to appease the lineage's dead- who might still posed danger to the living - and bring well-being, fertility and prosperity to the clan. During the initiation, the rituals associated to the Mbumba included propitiatory offerings to the forebears of the lineage: skulls of the ancestors would be exhibited and identified to young initiates before being anointed with blood (usually of chickens) and replaced in the baskets (L. Perrois 1995:153).