While Western collectors attribute value to the visual impact of power figures—their uniqueness, craftsmanship, and authenticity—to the Songye it is their effectiveness as protectors of the community from malevolent forces and disease that determines their ultimate importance. The value is dependent on their magical ingredients (bishimba) concealed in the abdominal cavity, in the top of the head, or in a horn set into the cranium (missing from this piece). These hidden substances acquire potency and interact with the spirit world when assembled according to a precise formula by the nganga, or magical practitioner.
Catalogue Description:
Wooden figure with large head, protruding abdomen and no visible feet. The arms are at sides, hands holding belly. The figure is covered with numerous additions: a bandana-style headdress of animal skins hangs down the neck. A rope with amulets circles the head, while the neck holds five bands of various materials and thicknesses. One of these supports two interlocked rings: one of metal, the other a doughnut shaped padded leather (?) ring. The chest is surrounded by five thin twisted ropes. A voluminous skirt covers the lower torso. Many-layered cloth and leather strips, wooden dowels and a metal bell are suspended from a heavy, twisted belt. The front of the torso shows two thin metal rectangles protecting materials inside the abdominal cavity. They are nailed into place. The same technique is used on the face to decorate the nose and forehead. Tooled leather (?) strips decorate cheek and chin. Eyebrows are outlined with nail heads above large heavy-lidded eyes. The pursed mouth shows protruding organic material.
