Zambia, Republic of the Congo, and Democratic Republic of the Congo

Yombe

Wood
Mid 20th century
Length: 10.5 in, Width: 2.5 in
Idiophone – Struck Directly  – Slit Drum

This finely detailed female head with a type of dignitary headdress, is a symbol of the mythical ancestor probably associated with the Yombe  fertility cults. Wood sculptures known as phemba (depicting motherhood)  were created for use in association with women’s cults, and found their highest expression among the Kongo-Yombe subgroup. These sculptures were used by the Yombe community to honor the mythical mother of a dynasty or during propitiatory rites related to the symbolic fertility of the entire community. While this is not the sculpture known as phemba, it is a small hand slit drum most likely used during their ritual ceremonies. The shape of the slit gong is that of a crescent moon, a symbol of the world of ancestors.  Shows signs of usage and age.