Tabwa Mipasi ancestor figure
Worship of ancestors in the art of Eastern Congo
In African art, the Tabwa or Batabwa are great sculptors practicing ancestor worship. In this context, we know them of a statuary importance of ancestors called mipasi.
These African statues depicting Tabwa ancestors are in the form of standing figures, slender body, hands placed around the abdomen and most often wearing beautiful scarifications as seen here. We see it on the trunk going from the breasts to the navel, but also on the face. These facial scars correspond to those worn by tabwa individuals as seen in the context photo.
The Tabwa are an ethnic group located to the east of the Luba kingdom, on the shores of Lake Tanganyika.
01455
Data sheet
- Presumed dating
- Circa 1950
- Size
- 40 cm
- Ethnic group
- Material(s)
- Wood
- Country
- Origin
- Tribal Art Collection Germany
- Condition
- Excellent
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Worship of ancestors in the art of Eastern Congo
In African art, the Tabwa or Batabwa are great sculptors practicing ancestor worship. In this context, we know them of a statuary importance of ancestors called mipasi.
These African statues depicting Tabwa ancestors are in the form of standing figures, slender body, hands placed around the abdomen and most often wearing beautiful scarifications as seen here. We see it on the trunk going from the breasts to the navel, but also on the face. These facial scars correspond to those worn by tabwa individuals as seen in the context photo.
The Tabwa are an ethnic group located to the east of the Luba kingdom, on the shores of Lake Tanganyika.