Bwende Niombo reliquary figure
Funeral rites of Kingoyi district
In African art, there are niombo reliquary dolls made by the Bwende. They are in fact fabric sarcophagi intended for the remains of prestigious chefs. Niombo were huge dolls carried on stretchers during funeral ceremonies.
Makosa is specifically known, a sculptor who became the preferred informant of missionaries with a passion for ethnography. It is thanks to him that a large part of the information concerning this astonishing funeral practice could be gathered.
From the beginning of the 20th century, Makosa produced copies of niombo for Westerners. His real genius, however, was to make faithful replicas of smaller dimensions, easily transportable such as this one. However, Makosa's conversion to Christianity resulted in the latter losing some of his local clientele.
01599
Data sheet
- Presumed dating
- Mid XXth century
- Size
- 47 cm
- Ethnic group
- Material(s)
- Fabric
- Country
- Origin
- Tribal art collection Belgium
- Condition
- Excellent
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Funeral rites of Kingoyi district
In African art, there are niombo reliquary dolls made by the Bwende. They are in fact fabric sarcophagi intended for the remains of prestigious chefs. Niombo were huge dolls carried on stretchers during funeral ceremonies.
Makosa is specifically known, a sculptor who became the preferred informant of missionaries with a passion for ethnography. It is thanks to him that a large part of the information concerning this astonishing funeral practice could be gathered.
From the beginning of the 20th century, Makosa produced copies of niombo for Westerners. His real genius, however, was to make faithful replicas of smaller dimensions, easily transportable such as this one. However, Makosa's conversion to Christianity resulted in the latter losing some of his local clientele.