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A standing Lega figure with a stylized body. The surface shows some age. Lego sculptures are usually carved in a highly distinctive style, with a heart-shaped concave face with a slightly bulging forehead, slit ‘coffee-bean’ eyes, and an open narrow mouth. Figures are many times covered completely in white clay called ‘pombe’ or simply as in this figure have the face highlighted through the use of coloring material. Among the Lega people of the Democratic Republic of Congo carved wooden figures are uséd during ceremonies of the Bwami Society, an initiation, and instructional society that governs and advises on moral and ethical conduct. The complex system of instruction, initiation, and advancement for both men and women in the Bwami society uses masks and figures to document the various levels of Bwami and to serve as badges validating the initiate’s knowledge of the secrets of Bwami and their rank. This appealing white-faced figure with a marvelously abstracted body represents a major figure and perhaps a ‘judge’ among senior members of the Bwami Society. According to Cornet, "These figurines are often part of an initiation basket owned collectively by a clan and uséd in the ritual display of objects in the LUTUMBO LWA KINDI rite.
Lega art is characterized by its highly stylized and abstract forms, which are often uséd in the creation of masks, statues, and other ritual objects. One of the most famous and distinctive features of Lega art is the use of a unique system of symbols known as Bwami. The Bwami society is a secret association of men and women that serves as a governing body for the Lega people. They use Bwami symbols to represent their beliefs, values, and social structures.
In Lega art, the use of Bwami symbols is highly prominent. The most common symbols uséd in Lega art include the ngulu, which represents the concept of leadership, and the lukwakongo, which is a symbol of the Lega community. Other symbols uséd in Lega art include the lukasa, a memory board that contains a visual record of important events in Lega history, and the kipona, a staff that is uséd by Bwami initiates.
Lega art is also known for its intricate and detailed carving techniques, which are uséd to create masks, statues, and other objects. These objects are often adorned with elaborate designs and patterns, which are uséd to convey specific meanings and messages. For example, some Lega masks are designed to represent specific animals, while others are uséd to portray spiritual or ancestral figures.
Overall, Lega art is a rich and diverse tradition that reflects the cultural heritage of the Lega people. It is an important part of the broader African art tradition and continues to inspire and captivate people around the world. DL0523 **147030** All content, including pictures, Copyright Africa Direct Inc., 2023 Add Us To Your Favorite Sellers! Please visit our About Us page. |
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Africa Direct, Inc. has been selling on eBay since 1997 and has received more than 56,000 positive feedbacks. It is owned by Eliza and Sara, who began the company after spending a year wandering southern Africa in a camper van with their multi-racial family. They have been honored with eBay's Hall of Fame award, and by eBay Giving Works, through which they have raised more than $125,000 in charity auctions. Customer Service: We treasure our many long term customers, and will try to make you one of them! If you have problems, please tell us... we care! Handling Time: We ship daily except Sundays and holidays. Most orders go out the same day, and all go out within 48 hours. Returns: We want you to be happy with your purchase. You're welcome to return an item within 30 days in the same condition you received it--just let us know you're returning it. You may have either a credit or a refund for your purchase price, not including shipping both ways. If your original payment was made through PayPal, we'll refund you through PayPal; if you paid us directly with your credit card, we'll refund the credit card. Combining Shipping: You are welcome to wait to pay, and to combine multiple items for shipping. We ask that you keep each order to 10 days or 10 items, whichever comes first--then start another order. When you're ready, just send us a list of item numbers or an invoice request and we'll send you an invoice. You can pay by Paypal or credit card. U.S. Shipping: Our staff take great care in packing our artwork, much of which is antique, irregularly-shaped, and fragile. The cost of labor and the special packing materials uséd is reflected in our shipping price. Our U.S. shipping charges also include insurance; we self-insure on smaller orders. For these reasons, our shipping and handling charges may be more than the price of postage. . International Shipping: We ship dozens of international orders each week, to customers on every continent except Antarctica! The shipping charges included in our listings are for U.S. orders. Contact us for shipping charges to your country. We offer uninsured USPS First Class airmail, insured Priority airmail, and insured Express airmail to most parts of the world, depending on the weight, volume, and value of an item. We also ship via FedEx or DHL on request. Import duties, taxes, and charges are NOT INCLUDED in the item price or shipping charges. These charges are the buyer's responsibility. Please check with your country's customs office to determine what these additional costs will be prior to bidding / buying. These charges are normally collected by the delivering freight (shipping) company or when you pick the item up -- do not confuse them for additional shipping charges. And please do not ask us to mark merchandise values below the actual value or mark items as "gifts"--U.S. and International government regulations prohibit such behavior. Newsletter, previews and special offers: Sign up for our newsletter |
