Democratic Republic of Congo (Zaire)
Mangbetu

Wood, Leather, Fiber Strings, Ivory
ca. Mid-20th century
Length: 37 inches
Chordophone – Harp

This large Mangbetu anthropomorphic arch harp is called a “Domu.”  The top, including the head finial, neck and upper torso is carved from ivory.  The figure is posed standing with wooden carved legs and feet attached at the bottom of the hourglass shaped resonator, that serves as the body.  

The harp first appeared in Mangbetu culture some time in the late nineteenth century, and reached its peak during the colonial period of the early twentieth century. Many believe that the initial practice of carving representations of human heads was adopted from the neighboring Azande peoples to the north. As cultural and musical traditions have changed over the years in Mangbetu culture, musical instruments have appeared and disappeared. Some Mangbetu elders claim that the heads of the harp represented Queen Nenzima and King Yangala, and that after their deaths the practice of that particular style gradually declined. Today, harps are no longer found in Mangbetu society.