Description
Bembe / Béembé Female Kitebi Power Figure, Democratic Republic of Congo #29
Date/Period: Second half of 20th century
Origin: DRC, Congo
Materials: Wood
Measurements: 17.72 Inch height
Additional Information: The Vili, the Lâri, the Sûndi, the Woyo, the Bembé, the
Established on the plateaus of the People's Republic of Congo ex.Brazzaville, and not to be confused with the Bembe group of northern Lake Tanganinyika, the small Babembé group, Béembé, was influenced by the Téké Rites and Culture, but especially by that of the Kongo. Settled in the current Republic of Congo, the Béembé originally formed the kingdom of Kongo, with the Vili, Yombé, Bwendé and Woyo.
Hunting being a major activity, the Ancestors were invoked through statuettes. These idealized representations of Ancestors, Kitebi or Bimbi, consecrated by the Nganga, displayed the attributes of Virtuous Women and Men, Hunters, or Healers. 
