Who made the reliquary figure Byeri?
This reliquary guardian is attributed to the Master of Ntem, a sculptor who lived on the upper Ntem River in northern Gabon and was active between about 1800 and 1860. The figure, with rounded thighs and thick calves, is carved in a seated position.
What does the reliquary figure represent?
A carved head or figure mounted on top of each reliquary box guarded the sacred contents against the forbidden gaze of women and uninitiated boys. The earliest reliquary guardians were heads, but by the beginning of the twentieth century busts and full figures were also being made.
What does a reliquary figure hold?
Reliquary guardian figures protect the irreplaceable relics that link the living to the dead. Most of the peoples in the region–the Fang, Kota, Hongwe, Shamaye, Obamba, Tsogo, and Vuvi–placed the figures atop bark boxes or baskets holding the relics. The Mbete placed the relics inside the torso of the figure itself.
What is a Byeri?
Byeri was a Fang association devoted to the veneration of lineage ancestors and founders, leaders, and fertile women who made significant contributions to society during their lifetime.
What was the purpose of the reliquary guardian figure in African culture?
Arts of Africa The Kota once used reliquary guardian figures (mbulu ngulu) to protect and demarcate the revered bones of family ancestors. The bones were preserved in containers made of bark or basketry. The mbulu ngulu stood atop this bundle, bound to it at the figure’s lozenge-shaped base.
In what ways was a Nkisi power figure used?
A nkisi nkondi can act as an oath taking image which is used to resolve verbal disputes or lawsuits (mambu) as well as an avenger (the term nkondi means ‘hunter’) or guardian if sorcery or any form of evil has been committed.
What is Fang art?
Art. The art works of Fang people, particularly from wood, iron and steatite, are regionally famous. Their wooden masks and idol carvings are on display at numerous museums of the world. Discovery of Fang artwork was source of inspiration for much of the European avant-garde artwork created during the 20th century.
What is distinctive about the Mende mask tradition?
Worn at performances to celebrate the completion of the young initiates’ training period, these masks are finely carved to convey admired feminine features: an elaborate coiffure, a smooth broad forehead, narrowly slit eyes, a small composed mouth, and a sensuously ringed neck.
What was the Feng Bieri used for?
In the Fang culture of equatorial Africa, figurative sculptures were created for an association called the “Bieri,” who used them as ritual objects to help attain the goodwill of revered ancestors.
What is a Fang sculpture?
The Fang are best known for their wooden reliquary figures which are abstract anthropomorphic carvings. There are a few in collections that are still attached to the original relics they were meant to protect.
What role did the nkisi fulfill for the Kongo peoples?