Tribal Art

br>This sculpture of a woman presented standing on a circular base, her hands positioned on either side of a slightly rounded abdomen, offers an evocative image of fecundity. The bust is small, and muscles are drawn on the stocky legs. She wears a necklace of ancient pearls, a loincloth, and body scarification. Abraded matte patina. Slight cracks and lacks at the base.
This type of African statues belonged to the Temne women's society, named Bundu . The Mendé neighbors had similar effigies. These were used in healing rites for transgressors of the rules of the Sandé society. Abraded matt patina. The Temne organized themselves into chieftaincies headed by a supreme chief. The ragbenle or mneke society, responsible for fertility, intervened at the death of the chief. The association bundu prepared young girls for their adult life. The Temne and Bullom made a lot of "Afro-Portuguese" ivories following European orders. They are also known for the "nomoli", small soapstone sculptures.