Democratic Republic of Congo – Savannah Region
Yoruba

Wood
Mid 20th century
Height: 12.5 inches
Idiophone – Struck Directly – Bell with Clapper

The Hemba produced carvings, stools, bells, monkey masks, and gourds with carved figures.  This well carved figure bell with the clapper still in tack, comes from the Hemba people who today live in the savannah in the southeast region of the Democratic Republic of Congo along the Lualaba River.  It is only fairly recently that Hemba pieces have been recognized as a distinct classification rather than a substyle of Luba.   Local styles of the Hemba carving evolved sharing similarities but differing in details of sculpturing and in the use of body marking.  A typical Hemba figure will have a crossed hairstyle often shown at the back of the head which can be seen from the back of this Hemba bell.