Reliquary Male Figure

The Mbete developed a sculptural genre that integrated ancestral sacra within a figurative structure. The upper body, as in this statue, is particularly elongated, to enable hollowing out of the back with a box-like cavity. The cavity is covered with a “door” held in place with three threads on either side, two of which are missing here. This cavity usually held small bones of venerated deceased leaders, such as hunters of the ngoye association, since they played an important role in tribal life. These reliquary sculptures were connected with the ancestor cult, assisting in bringing success to hunting, defense and prosperity in community life. This male reliquary figure has all the typical features of the Mbete style: the elongated columnar solid torso which swells at the navel, supported by strong bent legs; the curvature of the thighs and calves is contrasted with black diminutive straight arms, elbows bent. A strong neck supports the typical Mbete head, a lozenge, relatively flat visage with volumetric head, while a broad forehead projects over the lower half of the face. Cowries-shells were applied, forming slitted eyes and the open mouth exposes fine iron teeth. It has the classical Mbete striated hairdo; a prominent crest bisects the coiffure, flanked by carved lateral dense plaits, as incised parallel and diagonal grooves.