Democratic Republic of Congo
Hemba

Wood
Early 20th Century
Length: 19.5 inches
Idiophone – Struck Directly  – Bell, Wooden

The Hemba people live in villages, recognizing chiefs as their political leaders.  The chief serves as the head of an extended family of landowners, inheriting his title through the maternal line.  The Hemba people may also belong to secret societies that recognize founding ancestors of each clan, such as the Bukazanzi for men and Bukibilo for women.  

This female Hemba ritual head bell is a symbol of power possibly for the women secret society Bukibilo.  Usage and age are shown especially on the handle connecting the finial head with the resonator body of the wooden bell.