Ritual staff of the "khimba" initiation society - D. R.

wood, encrusted patina, kaolin, fabric, nut shells, plant fibre, base
The "Janus" effigies are called "thafu malungu" and represent the first male initiates "Matundu" and "Malanda".They grip sticks behind their necks, referring to those used during initiation rites to beat the initiates.
H: 42,3 cm, H: 16,7 inch
Provenance:
Peter Willborg, Stockholm, Sweden
Lit.: Felix, Marc L. (ed.), Kongo Kingdom Art, China 2003, p. 107
Condition Report: See description