A unique anthropomorphic ritual figure belonging to the Lega or Warega ethnic group, a people from the central-eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is an iginga statue, whose function is to illustrate moral values to new members of the Bwami society, which governs the group's functioning and establishes its aesthetic canons.
The figure, in a kneeling position, stands out for its primitivism and simplicity, bordering on the schematic, with a prominent belly decorated with a thick line of very prominent scarifications; the rest of the body and face also show incisions. It has strange arms that come together at the shoulders and remain attached to the torso. Its diamond-shaped and slightly concave face is particularly unique, with elongated and perforated eyes with a similar groove, the nose starts directly from the forehead and is triangular, the mouth is located on the same chin and has an elliptical design; the face is like a mask.
Lega sculpture stands out for its originality; it all tends towards abstraction and schematism, as also happens in other neighboring peoples. The Lega artist seeks more to suggest than to create a naturalistic composition; it is a somewhat conceptual art.
The Bwami society is the social and educational organization that governs the functioning of the Lega group and teaches through artistic objects, proverbs, and rituals, and therefore establishes aesthetic canons. These figures, therefore, are part of the sacred objects of Bwami, used to transmit moral and philosophical values to initiates; their interpretation is taught during initiation ceremonies, where the master guides the initiate through the observation and interpretation of the sculptures to understand life lessons.
Lega's sculptures stand out for their originality; they all tend towards abstraction and schematism, as also happens in other neighboring villages. The artist seeks more to suggest than to create a naturalistic composition; it is a somewhat conceptual art.
Figure on a wooden pedestal.
Condition: Minor erosions and localized flaking of the polychrome, small cracks. Breakage in the back area. Good overall condition. Shows a patina of sacrifice, typical of ritual figures, with a predominance of light tones. Remains of kaolin.
STATUE LEGA IGINGA
R.D. Congo 20th century
