Tribal Art

Lumbu Statue (N° 24305)

The mythical monkey nzighu, nziku, whose morphology is summarized here in a truncated bust supported by semi-flexed limbs, reflects the impact of neighboring cultures and mainly sculpture kongo nkisi.
The colors used consist of a white coating (kaolin), color of peace, referring to the genius Bunzi whose brother the chimpanzee would be (Luc De Heusch); red comes from tukula bark, associated with elements such as fire, blood, and flesh.
The blue pigments meanwhile symbolize water and the kingdom of spirits and geniuses. Peeling velvety patina. Erosions, desiccation cracks.
Of Bantu origin, the Lumbu, Loumbu, Balumbu, of the Eshira group, settled on the coastal part of Gabon, and in the Republic of Congo, were once part of the Kongo kingdom. They keep the bones of their ancestors in reliquary baskets adorned with statuettes and other prestigious objects.