Collections: Arts of Africa and the Pacific Islands: Reliquary Figure (Mbulu Ngulu)

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Reliquary Figure (Mbulu Ngulu)

The Kota believe that the bones of important men and women retain power after death, providing protection and good fortune to an individual's descendants. The bones are preserved in reliquaries made of bark or basketry. On top are placed figures known as bwiti. This bwiti typifies the Kota style. The face is covered with strips of hammered brass and copper. The neck swells into an open lozenge shape, the lower part of which is thrust into the container of bones forming its "body."

• Culture: Kota (Ndumu or Obamba subgroup)
• Medium: Wood, copper alloy, copper, accumulated/applied materials
• Place Made: Gabon
• Dates: late 19th-early 20th century
• Dimensions: 20 3/4 x 8 3/8 x 2 1/4 in. (52.7 x 21.3 x 5.9 cm)
• Collections: Arts of Africa and the Pacific Islands
• Museum Location: This item is on view in African Galleries, 1st Floor
• Accession Number: 56.6.19
• Credit Line: Gift of Arturo and Paul Peralta-Ramos
• Image: Overall, 56.6.19_bw.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph
Kota (Ndumu or Obamba subgroup). Reliquary Figure (Mbulu Ngulu), late 19th-early 20th century. Wood, copper alloy, copper, accumulated/applied materials, 20 3/4 x 8 3/8 x 2 1/4 in. (52.7 x 21.3 x 5.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of Arturo and Paul Peralta-Ramos, 56.6.19 (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 56.6.19_bw.jpg)
• Catalogue Description: Ancestral figure, concave geometric face type, eyes and nose raised, crest above head, body diamond shaped; surfaces covered with hammered metal or metal strips. CONDITION: Good.