Kota Mbulu Ngulu Reliquary Figure
Tribe: Kota / BaKota
Country: Gabon
Material: Wood, Metal
Size: 23" (58.4 cm)
The Kota actually comprise of a number of groups of people who have common cultural traits. The Kota have subgroups such as the Shamaye, Hongwe, Obamba, Mindumu and Shake who all stayed together through the migrations faced over the past few centuries. The normally live in villages that comprise of two or more clans. The clans are made up of several lineages or family groups that trace their lineage from a common ancestor.
The Kota revere the relics of ancestors, keeping bones and others relics of extraordinary ancestors in baskets or bundles known as bwete. At times, the community would bring all their reliquaries together, believing that the combined power would offer greater strength against danger. In some instances, a group of families would keep their reliquaries together under a small shelter away from the houses.
There are several types of mbulu-ngulu, and a number of substyles can be identified. All are based upon the human face, even though they are abstracted and refer to the non human spiritual forces. They are carved out of wood, and then have copper or brass sheeting applied to the surfaces. |
