Large Singiti Hemba Statue Democratic Republic Of Congo Drc

Large Singiti Hemba Statue Democratic Republic of Congo.
This type of statue is classified (according to François Neyt "The great statuary of Zaire") as being in the Niembo de la Luka style, with the elongated face with rounded shapes, the thin and long nose, beard composed of 3 rows of rectangles, neck elongated cylindrical and the typical hairstyle in 4 well-cut lobes.
These are large statues thanks to which important ancestors or renowned leaders could be incarnated during ritual ceremonies.
I call them the Buddhas of Africa, with this serene, peaceful air, detached from human concerns, their eyes closed in meditation.
Note that it is a hermaphrodite character, a very present male genitalia and the pregnant belly with the hands placed on it as a sign of protection, it therefore symbolizes physical strength and motherhood at the same time, but pregnancy also symbolizes that of nature , abundance for harvests, gathering and hunting!
These statues are often treated roundly, gently, with a beautiful oily, dark satin patina, the cross hairstyle is typical, the feet are often missing or broken like here, some wear, knocks, stains and deposits.
Given its large size, it is not a family statue but rather a statue of a village, height 92 cm excluding base and 97 cm total.
In the last photo, a statue of the same style which comes from the Mbulula region, it comes from the René Vander Straete collection.
From a premier art gallery in the Vernaison market in Paris St Ouen.
A video to see it from all angles => VIDEO