Kusu Kabeja Divining Figure - SOLD OUT
The divination in African art of Kusu
Living on the left bank of the Lualaba River, the Kusu have been strongly influenced by their neighbors. In the Hemba and Luba, they borrowed statues in full foot, related to the cult of ancestors. The Hemba also provided the model for the Kabeja statues and head loads. The Songye have brought the way to insert magical substances into the head or abdomen of the sculptures. The soothsayers and healers are men or women with the power to heal the gift of double-vision.
Their main role is to protect the community from wizards and evil spirits. Like shamans, they often use trance to communicate with spirits. Sorcerers, feared by all, hold occult powers. They can control spirits from beyond and change into animals. Unlike healers, their faculties are used to harm their fellow creatures. This authentic and beautiful kabeja Kabeu divination figurine still carries on its head its magic charge fixed with a rope.
Origin : private collection P. Vandenbergh, BelgiumDating: 1945'sSize : 29 x 6 cmMaterials : wood, rope, magic materials
00308
Data sheet
- Presumed dating
- Mid XXth century
- Size
- Ethnic group
- Material(s)
- Wood
- Country
- Origin
- Tribal art collection Belgium
You might also like
The divination in African art of Kusu
Living on the left bank of the Lualaba River, the Kusu have been strongly influenced by their neighbors. In the Hemba and Luba, they borrowed statues in full foot, related to the cult of ancestors. The Hemba also provided the model for the Kabeja statues and head loads. The Songye have brought the way to insert magical substances into the head or abdomen of the sculptures. The soothsayers and healers are men or women with the power to heal the gift of double-vision.
Their main role is to protect the community from wizards and evil spirits. Like shamans, they often use trance to communicate with spirits. Sorcerers, feared by all, hold occult powers. They can control spirits from beyond and change into animals. Unlike healers, their faculties are used to harm their fellow creatures. This authentic and beautiful kabeja Kabeu divination figurine still carries on its head its magic charge fixed with a rope.
Origin : private collection P. Vandenbergh, BelgiumDating: 1945'sSize : 29 x 6 cmMaterials : wood, rope, magic materials