Bena Lulua Chibola Maternity figure
Maternity representations in African Tribal Art
This beautiful, and expertly carved Bena Lulua statue represents a female holding her child. The figure displays a technical mastery of the carver to produce a striking image of the tenderness of mother and child. The hair is carved as a series of small curls that are framed by a band falling to the sides and a horn shaped crest to the top of the head. To the back of the head is a loop shaped ornament. The face has a prominent forehead and elongated, eyes that are half closed and look down to the child in her arms. The face is covered in a series of scarification marks. The neck is disproportionally long and has a series of neck rings to it. The body is slim with small breasts and prominent navel. There are scarification marks to the shoulders and thighs. In her arms is the figure of a reclining child.
The Bena Lulua of the Democratic Republic of Congo, create statues that act as power figures, and these can be clearly recognized by the finial extension to the top of the head. The figure displays the harmonious features and scarification marks that are seen as the embodiment of Bena Lulua concepts of beauty. maternity figures are known as Chibola, and are used to stand guard over the mother during the difficult and dangerous time of childbirth. A particular cult has developed around these maternity figures which is known as bwanga bwa chibola, which is centred around boosting the fertility of women, preventing miscarriage and safeguarding newborn babies.
01339
Data sheet
- Presumed dating
- Mid XXth century
- Size
- 70 cm
- Ethnic group
- Material(s)
- Wood
- Country
- Origin
- Tribal Art Collection United States
- Condition
- Légére restauration aux pieds
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Maternity representations in African Tribal Art
This beautiful, and expertly carved Bena Lulua statue represents a female holding her child. The figure displays a technical mastery of the carver to produce a striking image of the tenderness of mother and child. The hair is carved as a series of small curls that are framed by a band falling to the sides and a horn shaped crest to the top of the head. To the back of the head is a loop shaped ornament. The face has a prominent forehead and elongated, eyes that are half closed and look down to the child in her arms. The face is covered in a series of scarification marks. The neck is disproportionally long and has a series of neck rings to it. The body is slim with small breasts and prominent navel. There are scarification marks to the shoulders and thighs. In her arms is the figure of a reclining child.
The Bena Lulua of the Democratic Republic of Congo, create statues that act as power figures, and these can be clearly recognized by the finial extension to the top of the head. The figure displays the harmonious features and scarification marks that are seen as the embodiment of Bena Lulua concepts of beauty. maternity figures are known as Chibola, and are used to stand guard over the mother during the difficult and dangerous time of childbirth. A particular cult has developed around these maternity figures which is known as bwanga bwa chibola, which is centred around boosting the fertility of women, preventing miscarriage and safeguarding newborn babies.