Mbete Reliquary Female Figure

Clan leaders attributed mystical power to certain bones of their ancestors that were preserved within the hollowed interior of the mitsitsi-na-ngoye figure, which assisted in bringing success in hunting, fertility and defense in the community's life. The head is typical of the Mbete style: a flattened visage generally in lozenge shape, a slightly raised triangular forehead above a broad brow, cowry shells form the eyes, and open mouth exposing sharp iron teeth. The coiffure is a prominent raised crest while the sides are dense parallel grooves. A woven raffia cloth is tied around its hips, and three pigments of white, red and black are applied to the surface, referring symbolically to its ritual context (LaGamma 2007:270).