Northeastern Region of Gabon
Kota

Copper, fiber, wood
Early – Mid 20th century
Height: 73cm / Length: 15cm / Width 15c,
Idiophone – Struck Directly

A reliquary is an object that unites human remains with carved statuette(s) and/or magical objects. It was designed to act as a receptacle and dwelling place for the spirit of the dead. The Kota (Bakota) people bundled their entire reliquary in a bark box or basket known as a “Bwete.” The “Bwete” was kept for generations as the focus of offerings and prayers. During the 20th century, the practice of the sacred “Bwete” was abandoned as the Bakota religious beliefs changed. Today, we have identified six different regional styles of the Bakota reliquary figures. Characteristic of these “Bewete” figures is the large stylized copper-plated head, as seen in this Kota (Bakota) bell.