The Hemba people were subjected for a long time to the Luba empire, but today their art has been categorized as a distinct entity, full of delicacy and lyricism; their naturalistic works are among the best of African art. The most appreciated aspect of their work are the statuettes, which show great technical perfection, with expressions full of interiority and reflection, omitting any superfluous detail. Among these are the *kabaja*, which, along with the *singiti*, are the materialization of ancestor worship. The *kabaja* are statuettes with a Janus-like body and two opposing heads, embodying the feminine and masculine in a single piece; they symbolize a mythical couple of ancestors or some spirit. They are at the disposal of the clan chief and are objects of sacrifice offered by him; they must not be touched with the hand, just like the *singiti*, and like them, they are destined for rites associated with fertility and maintaining the vital force of the group.
Representation of ancestors, sculpted from a single block, with a double body, male and female. The bodies have bulges whose apex coincides with the navel, a point of maximum importance, since the continuity of the lineage is materially symbolized in the umbilical area. The arms, close to the body, direct their hands towards this point, which represents the ontological link with the ancestors, framing the area as a sign of protection. The legs are short and fleshy, bent at the knees. The male body has a powerful phallus, while the female is adorned with scarifications on the abdomen and pubic area. The treatment of the faces is similar: they carefully reproduce headdresses oriented backwards that leave a wide, broad forehead; the lines are fluid and mark very curved eyebrows, half-open eyes shaped like coffee beans, a well-proportioned nose, and folded lips over a short chin.
The male face has a beard, which is a symbol of authority, while the female face is adorned with scarifications. The statue ends at the top with a receptacle intended to receive the magical ingredients.
Conservation status: The piece shows clear signs of erosion and wear. Lack of volume in the lower area, absence of part of the lower limbs and the base, as well as part of an upper limb; it has suffered particularly from the attack of wood-boring insects (woodworm), leaving visible galleries that have left part of the material hollow. It has small cracks and fissures. A figure frequently used in rites and celebrations. Very dark patina with some discolored parts.
HEMBA KABAJA STATUE
R.D. Congo 19th century - 20th century
