Tribal Art

Ngbaka Mask (N° 17722)

Initiation rituals and tribal art Ngbaka

Tribu installed on the left bank of the Ubangui, the Ngbaka practice agriculture, and their artistic achievements were inspired by those of the neighboring tribes Ngbandi and Ngombe, with a distinctive feature, however, the front line dotted with linear chéloids. They are organized into tribes without political unity, under the tutelage of Chief wan and worship a god named Gal through worship of the spirits of nature. Young people are prepared for adult life through named rituals gaza- and trained by former insiders, bugaza. Their statues usually represent the primordial ancestors Setu and his sister Nabo and are installed on altars for propitiatory rites. The Ngbaka also produced musical instruments that punctuated the closing ceremonies of initation and circumcision. This African mask of Ngbaka, all in length and face, is engraved with horizontal incisions juxtaposed on the nose, forehead and cheeks representing the scarifications used in the ethnic group. The eyes are reduced to circular openings like nostrils that overcome a mouth incised with teeth. Abraded velvety patina. Eclats.