Harp. Zande. Upper Zaïre. Wood, fibre, beads, skin.
© Africa-Museum, Tervuren
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Those who belong to the Mangbetu
linguistic group live in the province of Upper Zaïre, between the Uele
River in the north and the Bomokandi River in the south. For a long time, a
number of ethnic groups (including the Mangbetu themselves) with cultural
and political affinities have been called, collectively, "Mangbetu," which
has led to considerable confusion particularly in attributing
cultural objects.
Much of the Mangbetu's art was produced during the second half of the
nineteenth century, a period in which their sovereigns actively developed a
court art. The German explorer G. Schweinfurth, received by King Munza in
1870, left ample testimony as to the luxurious lifestyle surrounding the
monarch.
Aside from a few examples of statuary, the Mangbetu are known primarily for
their applied arts: knives, pottery, pipe bowls, boxes, musical instruments,
etc. These objects often include anthropomorphic figures with elongated
heads and elaborate hairstyles, as well as body painting and scarification,
both of which were practised in the region by the Mangbetu and some of
their "acculturated" neighbours.
The Zande inhabit the zone between the north of Zaïre, Sudan and the
Central African Republic. Although of different origin, they have maintained
constant relations with the Mangbetu, turbulent or peaceful according to the
circumstances and the period. The Zande established themselves in the region
during the expansion of the Avongara clan, dominating conquered territories
by setting up their own minor chiefs under Avongara command.
For the purposes of the mani society's activities, the Zande produced
numerous statuettes called yanda, whose magic powers favoured, among other
things, success in hunting and fertility in initiates. The appearance of
yanda (elements added or a coating of oil or other magic potion) was often
the result of the statue being used in ritual practices.
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