Kongo "colon" statue, DRC Male figure sculpted... Lot 13

Kongo "colon" statue, DRC Male figure sculpted in a naturalistic style, shown dressed in colonial costume. Two-tone patina. Good condition. 99 x 18 cm The Vili, Lâri, Sûndi, Woyo, Bembé, Bwende, Yombé and Kôngo formed the Kôngo group, led by King Ntotela. Their kingdom reached its apogee in the 16th century with the ivory and copper trade and the slave trade. With the same beliefs and traditions, they produced statuary with codified gestures in line with their worldview. Present along the Gabonese coast, the Vili broke away from the Kongo kingdom in the 16th century and the Loango kingdom became a powerful state. Now largely urbanized, they still belong to traditional ancestor-cult associations such as Mbouiti and Bieri. Nganga sorcerers, who were also healers, were in charge of religious activities and mediation towards the God called Nzambi through consecrated figures. To this end, individual nkisis protective figures, to guard against witchcraft and various plagues, are made and loaded by the nganga with all the ingredients necessary to achieve this goal.