Yanda Figurine - Zande - Congo - SOLD

The Zande inhabit a large area which covers the northern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic and South Sudan. They developed a Kingdom based on a royal clan, the Vungara, and have absorbed foreign populations through their well organised army which conquered new territories. They are therefore composed of a very heterogeneous group. The Zande art is an art of the Court that is very similar to that of the neighbouring Mangbetu people. Both have a very refined visual style. Their various utilitarian objects are often surmounted by a carved human head that does not represent an ancestor. Their poets interpreted improvised songs accompanied by music played by harps with five strings usually toped with these finely sculpted heads. The closed brotherhood Mani or Yanda, who spread magic among its members and settled disagreements, produced highly stylized figurines both anthropomorphic and zoomorphic. Origin : private collection, BelgiumDating : 1960'sSize : 24 x 7 cm Material : wood