Ritual object. Songye. East Kasai/Shaba, Zaïre. Wood,
metal, cowries.
© Africa-Museum, Tervuren
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The Songye, who inhabit the
territory between East Kasai, Shaba and the adjacent region of Kivu, are
closely related to the Luba, both linguistically and culturally. The origins
of both groups' kingdoms can be traced to the lake region in the Shaba area.
The Kalebwe most likely formed the socio-political nucleus of the Songye.
Songye art consists primarily of robust, sturdy statues, and masks
characterized by geometric markings and grooved surfaces. Songye statues are
not seen as symbols of power, but rather as something that can protect or
heal, or can be used for therapeutic reasons. They are objects imbued with
power or magical figurines known as mankishi (singular: nkishi).
A statue's value lies not in its appearance but in the magic ingredients
(bishima) that are hidden in its stomach or horns. These ingredients,
prepared by the nganga or ritual specialist using animal, vegetable or
mineral sources, fall into two categories: aggressive ones that fight
against the sources of evil, and ingredients that have a beneficial effect
on the patient. The sculptor is responsible only for producing the frame of
the statue; it must be activated by the nganga.
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