Songye (Basonge, Bayembe, Songe, Wasonga), Democratic Republic of the Congo

Horn fetish. The 150,000 Songye settled in the southeast of the country have a strong interest in magic, which affects many aspects of their lives. The Songye carvers excel in the production of fetishes and expressionistic masks. Songye fetishes are usually male and stand on a circular base. These figures adopt a hieratic posture, the hands placed on the abdomen; on top of the head they have a horn reinforcing a disquieting appearance. The fetishes are intended to ward off evil, to preserve the tribe or the family from hostile powers, sorcerers or evil spirits, and to aid fertility.

Material:  wood

Size: 9½”x2”x2½”

Price:   $140+$17 (S&H)                         [#N7S5S417]