작품 상세
Ubangi, northwestern Congo This figure represents Nàbo, the mythical ancestor and wife of the trickster god Sètò. Thanks to Jan-Lodewijk Grootaers' "Ubangi: Art and Cultures" in 2007, we finally have an idea of the cultural impact of the Northwestern Congo influence, Ubangian sculpture was the last major unstudied area of art from sub-Saharan Africa.The figures were blackened and covered in red kula powder from the camwood tree. A cola nut was then chewed and the fibers spat onto the figures. If someone had a problem (sickness, sterility or an unsuccessful hunt), they would consult a seer, who would try to find the cause by divination. If necessary the seer would order the figures to be placed on an altar and the rite to be performed, giving instructions how to reverse the spell. The figures are very diverse due to the large region and the extensive migration in the region. There are nevertheless a few identifying characteristics. One of the main stylistic features of Ngbaka statuary is a vertical line on the center of the forehead, leading down from below the hairline, sometimes terminating at the root, sometimes at the tip of the nose.Sometimes you can find, like on this figure, (dotted) lines to the left and right of the nose ridge.