Figure "okifa"
Click here to view a larger version of the imageLot: 444
88th Tribal Art AuctionFigure "okifa"
D. R. Congo, Mbole
Provenance | Size | Starting price / estimated price |
---|---|---|
Ludwig Bretschneider, Munich, Germany Lempertz, Cologne, 26 April 2003, lot 166 German Private Collection, Munich |
H: 11.4 inch | This object is not available anymore. |
wood, dark brown patina, remains of pigments, hips, neck and headgear pierced, min. dam., slight traces of abrasion, base.
Death by hanging plays an important role in Mbole society. This penalty is applied to adulterers, evil sorcerers and members of the "lilwa" society who have betrayed the society's secrets. These "okifa" (= "hanged") called figures cannot be regarded as individual portraits. However, the motif of hanging is clearly shown. They were presented to the people who were going to be initiated in order to caution them and thus served as an emphatic warning against offences and betrayal of secrets.